Downtown Marshall NCThe Creative Life on the River

Downtown Marshall was a haven for Mermaids, Pirates and Sea Creatures on Friday!!  Mayor Lawrence Ponder and musician Steve Davidowski led the Mermaid Parade thru a wedding rehearsal dinner and all thru downtown.  Prizes were given to the best adult and best child mermaid costumes, as well as best pirate and sea creatures (no sailors participated…..).

Additionally, we had 2 environmental statements:  one for the BP oil crisis and the other was for the big floating mass of plastic in the ocean (I hear it’s bigger than the state of Texas……why is this not making the news in a big way?!?!?!?).

The weather had threatened to turn nasty, but fortunately held off.  The concert started with a sound check of Mustang Sally blaring from the courthouse steps and then at about 9pm Michael Cody and the Original Sugar Daddy Band started up and rocked until about 11:30.  Michael played several of his own songs, much to the delight of those who have been fans of his since his early rockin’ days in Madison County with the White Water Band. 

July 9th will be the next French Broad Friday event with the theme of Bike-A-Licious.  Pistol Creek and the Catch of the Day is lined up for a return to Marshall (they were here last year for Bike-A-licious).  Hope to have another great crowd in downtown Marshall!

JOIN US for the 3rd annual “Mermaids in Marshall” French Broad Friday event on Friday, June 11th.  Many downtown businesses will be open late and will feature Mermaid-themed specials.  Games & reggae music on the Island starting at 6:30 with the traditional “Mermaid Parade” starting at 7:30 (pirates and sailors are welcome, too!).  Best costumes and best float awards at 8pm at Good Stuff.  Stick around to hear the great music from Michael Cody with special guests, the Sugar Daddy Band in the parking lot of SECU at 9pm for a FREE CONCERT (if you’re from here, you might remember Michael Cody who used to play a lot of music in the area in the late 70s and early 80s).  649.3444 for more information.

And on this first French Broad Friday event of 2010, we’re introducing “Flow”, located in the space formerly occupied by Firewalker Gallery (14 South Main Street).  Flow offers handmade adornment for the body and home.  The Soft Opening Reception features art, craft and wearables by local artists and refreshments.  Open 5:00pm to 9:00pm Friday June 11th.

Here is a video (thanks to Tony Torn and YouTube) from last year’s event!