Leeds Historic Downtown hosts Leeds First Thursday Street Fest this Thursday, May 2, on the Parkway in downtown Leeds. Festivities will begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m.   

Leeds First Thursday is a family friendly event celebrating local small businesses and highlighting the growing downtown district. This event is a celebration of the rich history of community involvement. There will be activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Live entertainment, street vendors, food trucks, plenty of kids’ activities and a car cruise in are among the activities planned. Local businesses downtown will be open for shopping.  Visitors are encouraged to support local retailers, artists and crafters, to shop or walk downtown and enjoy the lively atmosphere with family.

The May 2 event will be held on both sides of 9th Street adjoining Parkway Drive.  Street entertainers will perform from the gazebo while street vendors and kids’ activities will be available down 9th Street from the Parkway toward LA Salon & Boutique. 

Charity Bowden, as featured on The Voice, will perform at 4 p.m.  Charity is a fresh, young face on the country music scene with an old soul.  Her voice has that traditional southern twang that began country music.

Erica Ryleigh will also perform.  Erica is a country artist with a twist and is fairly new to the music scene.  She is a Leeds native who has been playing her guitar and singing almost a decade.  Erica took her first steps into the performing world in June of 2018 when she competed in the Singing Sundown in Oneonta placing in the top ten.  She hopes to be able to show her listeners that life is what you make it and you are never alone in what is thrown your way.

Food trucks will be on both sides of 9th Street and the Three-Earred Rabbit Restaurant will be open so there will be plenty of food and fun available for the whole family.

If you have a favorite car or bike, you are encouraged to bring it out for the car cruise-in, which will line up on the other side of 9th Street in front of Alabama Power.  The Corvette Club will be highlighted this month.

Also, the Leeds Farmer’s Market begins this Thursday and their location will be on 9th Street this week in conjunction with the street fest so plan to purchase some fresh veggies while you are there.  Kennedy Farms, Still Water Farms, Silly Hill Farms, St. Clair County Boys Ranch (flowers), Witt Farms, Suzette Childs cakes, Momma Sue’s fried pies, Doron Soulis Hines cupcakes, Eastaboga Honey and more.

Leeds First Thursday Street Fest is a family friendly, community event and many of the activities are completely free so bring the whole crew to experience the fun.

This event is sponsored by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Leeds and the Leeds Redevelopment Authority.

For more information about First Thursdays, follow the events on Facebook or visit www.LeedsAreaChamber.com.  Vendor Applications are also available online.