With return of First Friday, Globe looks to spring calendar for community recovery

With the return of First Friday in downtown Globe, the city is getting back to its efforts to improve the lives of residents by filling the social calendar with events that help build a sense of community.

While the heavy lifting in the wake of last September's floods continues in the background, popular events are coming back, from First Friday to parades to the opening of the community pool season in May.

“First Friday is back after a short break, and the Globe Clean and Beautiful Community Cleanup is happening in April. We're hiring lifeguards for the pool season and really starting to get our sense of community back,” says Melissa Steele, Globe's Economic Development Manager. “We've been in a technical rabbit hole, and now it's time to focus on the light and fun things we like to do in spring.”

First Friday began in October 2020 in the wake of the COVID shutdown, when city leaders were searching for a way to revitalize downtown businesses and give residents an opportunity to get out of the house.

The event is part of the city’s long-term strategic action plan to improve residents' quality of life, and part of the mission of the city’s economic development department, created in 2018 to help increase economic activity and livability in Globe.

First Friday brings both locals and visitors to historic downtown Globe, featuring business specials, street vendors, music, food trucks and activities such as the Broad Street Cruise that harkens back to the days when “bombing Broad” was a favorite pastime.

“It's good to get people out, and it's created community,” says District 5 Councilman Fernando Shipley. “The old guys bring out their hot rods and go cruising, park at the end of the street and hang out and talk. What builds community is that social interaction. Being online and having friends online is a form of community, but it's not the same.”

As another harbinger of spring, the next First Friday, taking place on April 3, will be the kickoff of the sixth annual Arizona Poppy Fest that will feature events and speakers in both Globe and at Bullion Plaza in Miami.

Details can be found at the City of Globe's website at www.globeaz.gov.

On Saturday, April 4, the Globe Downtown Association will host the 18th Annual Easter Parade that is free and open to everyone.

The event will take place rain or shine and include a stroll down Broad Street, DJs, and a meet-and-greet and photo-ops with the Easter Bunny. Participants are encouraged to come in costume and bring the entire family along. More information can be found on Facebook at #easterparadeglobeaz.

The Easter Parade will be special for Shipley this year, as his daughter will once again don the carrot costume to be part of the festivities.

“Of all the regular festivals, I like the Easter Parade best,” he says. “I love it, and it's one of my favorite things in Globe.”

The Globe Clean and Beautiful Community Cleanup takes place the weekend of April 17 through 19, with a free dumpster day for debris and e-waste. Information on where the collection sites are and what is accepted at the sites is available on the city website.

Residents are also encouraged to save the date for the mayor’s State of the City address on April 23, where the community will hear updates on progress, recovery efforts and what lies ahead for Globe.

In addition to the early spring calendar, the city is actively hiring and training lifeguards for the upcoming pool season kicking off in May. Since its reopening in 2023, the pool has expanded with a splash pad and new playground equipment, and the community center complex has even added a disc golf course to replace the course that used to be at Old Dominion Mine Park.

As Globe moves into the spring season, the return of these events signals a notable shift toward celebrating community and gathering together in public spaces. While important recovery work from flooding is far from over, and work continues behind the scenes, events like First Friday, the Easter Parade and community clean-ups provide opportunities for residents and visitors to reconnect and enjoy traditions that make Globe special. With a full calendar ahead, the community is ready to step into spring together. 

For an in-depth calendar of events, go to www.globeaz.gov/events, or contact the City of Globe at 928-425-7146. For direct phone updates on all the goings on in Globe, download the city's app at the Apple AppStore or Google Play.