Oakland's First Friday Is Back For The First Time In Over A Year

After over a year, Oakland's First Friday Festival has returned for the month of October.

According to KRON, the popular East Bay tradition was on hold for 19 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“After a long time away from our beloved community, we’re back and ready for a COVID safe reunion on October 1st!” reads their website.

First Fridays are located along Telegraph Street between West Grand and 27th Street. It's held every first Friday of the month as a way for the community to come together and support local artists.

On Friday, October 1, entertainment will include:

• The Best Intentions (7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) – Original Motown Classics, Old School, and R&B sound from the ’60s, '70s, '80s & up
• FLO (Funky Latin Orchestra) (6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.) – Smooth and energetic sounds of the Mambo, Latin Jazz, Latin Rock, and more
• FARENHYTE 5150 (5:15 p.m – 5:50 p.m.) – A dynamic entertainment music machine offering the ultimate experience in both live, original, and cover music performance

Here are other activities and where they are located:

• Fashion Show with Mario B at 25th St. (Northgate side)
• Art Wall “Any Body Can Paint” interactive canvas painting with a theme (24th St. Broadway side)
• Turf Inc. turf dancers (24th St. on the Northgate side)
• KONO Lounge (on Sycamore & Telegraph)
• Drumming Group (23rd on the Broadway side)
• Lincoln Female College Basketball Team working the entrance gate
• Classic Car Show at W.Grand and Telegraph Ave. in front of Moxy Hotel