MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

Contact: Kara Norman
Downtown Frederick Partnership
301-698-8118
mainstreet@downtownfrederick.org

FROSTY FRIDAY KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SHOPPING IN DOWNTOWN FREDERICK
November 28th Event Offers A Unique Opportunity To “Pamper Yourself Merry”

The day after Thanksgiving-Friday, November 28-is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. As an alternative to fighting the traffic and crowds, Downtown Frederick Partnership invites you to “pamper yourself merry” during FROSTY FRIDAY, a unique holiday experience in historic Downtown Frederick.

The excitement begins at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28 when nearly 60 of Downtown Frederick’s shops, galleries, and restaurants open early. The holiday merriment continues on Market, Patrick and East Streets throughout the day until 9 p.m. Parking in all three downtown decks-Patrick, Court and Church streets-is free ($1 after 6 p.m.).

While dining and shopping their way through Downtown Frederick, Frosty Friday-goers will enjoy strolling musicians, choral and dance performances, costumed characters (including Frosty the Snowman and Santa), live holiday windows, free gift wrapping and more. Just as in days of old, chestnuts will be roasting over an open fire on Patrick Street (near the C. Burr Artz Library) and horse-drawn carriage rides will wander through the winter wonderland of Downtown Frederick from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Carriage rides depart from Brewer’s Alley at 124 North Market Street and half-price tickets ($8 for adults, $5 for children ages 2 and up) will be available to individuals with $10 or more in shopping receipts from downtown merchants.

On Frosty Friday, downtown shoppers can begin their morning with a delicious breakfast. In addition to Market Street Café, Pretzel & Pizza Creations and Village Restaurant, which are normally open during the morning hours, Brewer’s Alley, Firestones and The Tasting Room will begin serving special Frosty Friday breakfasts at 8 a.m. The Frederick Coffee Company will open early as well, serving up waffles that are usually a weekend-only menu item.

In addition to great food, Frosty Friday will feature a feast of live entertainment from morning ‘til evening. Frosty the Snowman will share smiles and candy canes along Market, Patrick, and East streets beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. Santa Claus will be checking in with shoppers on Market Street from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Later in the day at 6 p.m., Santa will arrive by horse-drawn carriage at Everedy Square. Until 8:30 p.m., youngsters can visit with Santa in his workshop at I Made This! Pottery at 10B North East Street. Schifferstadt volunteers, dressed in period costume, will mingle with shoppers throughout the day, as will the cast of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol.

Adding to the festivities, the Dee Buchanan Dance Studio will perform beginning at 10 a.m. along the streets and in the window of the Cultural Arts Center. From 10 a.m. until Noon, the Towne Singers will entertain shoppers, followed by the young performers of the Musical Fun Factory from Noon to 5 p.m. Gary Schwartz will play the melodian from Noon to 2 p.m., and Souls of Feet will perform from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Cultural Arts Center window. Market Street Brass will present classic holiday music from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the plaza in front of Flights of Fancy on East Street. Three barbershop quartets-Kings Chorders, RMDSS (Real Men Don’t Sing Solo), and Mixed Emotions-will sing as they stroll along the streets from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. One God, One Voice will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the Catoctones from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Performing at various times throughout the day will be the Frederick Chorale and the Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra (at the Weinberg Center).

Beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, singer-songwriters from the Frederick area will be performing near the intersection of North Market and Second streets (outside if weather permits, otherwise in the front window of Market Street Jewelry at 203 North Market Street). Featured performers will include Kate Brown (the Folk Explosion), Roderick Deacey (owner of Market Street Jewelry), Bryan Dennis, David Morreale (national performer now living in Baltimore), Ian Morrison (Frederick's best country blues musician), and Todd Walker (known locally for his restaurant review show on Cable Channel 10). The musicians will be playing their own compositions plus some seasonal material.

Shoppers can have their packages wrapped for free at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, courtesy of volunteers from Hope Alive, Inc. The Weinberg Center is offering free tickets to an upcoming holiday event when shoppers have their packages wrapped during Frosty Friday, and McCutcheons is providing free apple cider in the theatre lobby.

“Frosty Friday is a terrific way to start your holiday celebration,” states Clyde Hicks, Downtown Frederick Partnership Board President. “Whether you’re shopping or dining out or just soaking in the old-fashioned charm of Downtown Frederick, we think everyone’s going to enjoy a very special day.”

Kara Norman, executive director of Downtown Frederick Partnership, agrees. “With all the wonderful activities planned for Frosty Friday, we think Frederick County residents as well as out-of-town visitors will feel very pampered. Frosty Friday showcases the best of what Downtown Frederick has to offer.”

Frosty Friday is sponsored by the Downtown Frederick Partnership in cooperation with downtown merchants, the Tourism Council of Frederick County, and the city’s Department of Economic Development. For more information on Frosty Friday and other upcoming events, including First Saturday Gallery Walk, contact the Downtown Frederick Partnership at 301-698-8118.