First Friday Sip and Stroll set in Thomasville

THOMASVILLE — Spring and great music will be in the air later this week as the city of Thomasville’s First Friday Sip and Stroll features The Billy Rigsby Band.

“April is an eventful month for Thomasville,” Madison Eaton, the city’s events coordinator, said. “We are excited to have the Billy Rigsby Band bring an energetic performance to get the busy month started.

“(They have) a soulful sound that will have the whole family singing along.”

The public can stroll through downtown from 6-8 p.m. and enjoy shopping, dining and sipping at more than 100 unique businesses. At 8 p.m., The Billy Rigsby Band will perform on the Ritz Amphitheater stage.

The band was formed by Rigsby himself in Tallahassee, Fla. It has a soulful style inspired by the music of Marvin Gaye, Al Greene, Michael Jackson and Robert Cray. Rigsby and the band have been performing since the late 1990s and have opened for some of the biggest names in the music industry, including James Brown and Earth, Wind and Fire.

“Each month we have a new First Friday Sip and Stroll theme that brings a different genre of music to downtown,” April Norton, the city of Thomasville’s Main Street and business development director, said. “This month’s theme is ‘Spring Fling.’ We’ll be welcoming the spring weather with fun, lively music and several not-to-be-missed specials throughout downtown.”

In addition, several southwest Georgia artists and craftsmen will be set up throughout the event area, selling their handcrafted pieces and interacting with the public.

“Having these artists downtown enriches the entire First Friday experience,” Eaton said.

First Friday Sip and Strolls are free and open to the public. For more information about the event and merchant specials, visit www.thomasvillega.com or call the Thomasville Visitors Center at (229) 228-7977.

Jennifer Parks