Community · Downtown Las Vegas
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley says First Friday is suspended for November and December, with hopes to return in January
Mayor Shelley Berkley confirmed the downtown Arts District festival is on hold after a fatal shooting at the Oct. 2 event, as city leaders weigh a curfew, metal detectors and more police before any return.
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What happened
First Friday, the monthly arts-and-culture street festival in the downtown Arts District, will not take place in November or December. Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley confirmed the suspension at her regular Thursday press conference, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. She said the city hopes to bring the event back in January.
The Review-Journal reported that the event's future remains unclear. Berkley described plans for its return as "still very fluid."
Why the city paused the festival
The pause follows a shooting during the Oct. 2 First Friday. A 15-year-old was killed and two other teenagers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, the Review-Journal reported. According to Las Vegas police, the shooting appeared to have come from a fight and happened at about 10:17 p.m. at the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Main Street.
Weighing economic value against safety
Berkley called First Friday a "tremendous asset for the city" because of the economic boost it brings, the Review-Journal reported. She said safety comes first. "First Friday is not an opportunity for gangs to roam around the Arts District and brandish weapons and kill each other," Berkley said, according to the newspaper.
What changes are under discussion
Berkley outlined several options the city is considering before the event comes back. None of them has been finalized, according to the Review-Journal's account of the press conference.
A possible curfew
The mayor said that "at very minimum," a curfew could be put in place. The Review-Journal described the possible curfew as being for ages 18 and older. The newspaper did not report further details on how it would work or when it would apply.
Metal detectors and more officers
The city is also discussing metal detectors and a larger presence from the Las Vegas City Marshals and the Metropolitan Police Department, the Review-Journal reported. Berkley said the goal is to prevent problems rather than respond to them. She said the city wants to make sure people attending are not disruptive or dangerous.
No move to Fremont Street
Berkley said there are no talks about relocating First Friday to Fremont Street, according to the Review-Journal. She cautioned that the city's plans for the event are still being worked out.
An Art Crawl fills the gap
With First Friday on hold, two neighborhood groups organized an alternative. The 18b Arts District Association and the Arts District Action Coalition put together an Art Crawl in the Arts District set for Friday, Nov. 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Review-Journal reported.
According to the newspaper, the crawl includes 23 Arts District businesses and 23 featured artists. Residents looking for other local happenings can find more in our community coverage, and safety updates are collected on our public safety page.
What to watch next
- Whether First Friday resumes in January, as Mayor Berkley said the city hopes.
- Final decisions on a curfew, which Berkley said is the minimum step under consideration.
- Whether metal detectors and added City Marshals and Metro police staffing become part of the event.
- The Arts District Art Crawl on Nov. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with 23 businesses and 23 artists.
