For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara Norman

301.698.8118

knorman@xecu.net

DOWNTOWN FREDERICK STAYS OPEN LATE FOR

FIRST SATURDAY GALLERY WALK

*************March 1 Is Kickoff for New GFDC Event*************

Frederick, Md. ---- The Greater Frederick Development Corporation (GFDC) is pleased to announce the start of First Saturday Gallery Walk, a monthly event that showcases downtown Frederick’s art galleries and specialty stores.

Gallery Walk begins on Saturday, March 1, until 9 p.m., and will continue on the first Saturday of every month. More than a dozen galleries will participate in the event, hosting exhibit openings, guest artists, live entertainment, and other activities. Participating galleries include: The Artists’ Gallery, Blue Elephant, the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, The Granary – Art Works, McGuire Fine Arts, Refuge Gallery, Thames Fine Arts, Spirit Gallery and the Weinberg Center for the Arts. In addition to these galleries, many downtown retailers also will remain open until 9 p.m., offering a variety of special activities for shoppers to enjoy. The downtown Frederick Public Library, C. Burr Artz, will offer special events during their regularly scheduled hours.

“The idea for First Saturday Gallery Walk evolved from our desire to encourage more people to experience downtown Frederick,” states Kara Norman, executive director of GFDC. “The historic downtown area is fast becoming one of the region’s premier arts and entertainment districts, and the First Saturday Gallery Walk is the perfect opportunity to showcase all that we have to offer—from the art galleries to fine restaurants and specialty stores.”

Norman says that downtown business owners were quick to embrace the plans for the First Saturday Gallery Walk. “We’re thrilled to see such an unprecedented level of participation among the businesses downtown,” she comments. “Everyone is excited about working together to promote downtown Frederick as the place to be.”

Norman adds that, along with the First Saturday Gallery Walk, the GFDC Promotions Committee is busy with plans for the annual MayFest Celebration; a new promotion planned for the day after Thanksgiving; and the Second Annual Downtown Open House in December.

For additional information on these and other downtown happenings, please call 301.698.8118.

# # #