Maricopa’s first First Friday event drew more than 3,300 people to the Heritage District, according to InMaricopa. The Oct. 2 gathering marked a major milestone for organizers who spent months preparing for the launch.
Copa Farmers Market founder Kevin Okuma said it was rewarding to see the event come together. Kelly Anderson, executive director of the Greater Maricopa Business Alliance, said the atmosphere was lively and that families were able to enjoy a safe, fun evening.
The monthly event is planned for the first Friday of each month and is centered on walkable areas in the Heritage District. It was created as an idea of Councilmember Amber Liermann to help build community engagement in Maricopa.
Organizers said the event ran smoothly, with no injuries or arrests and mostly positive feedback from attendees. Placer.ai data showed attendance at 3,376, along with 64 vendors, more than 1,000 online followers and 2,000 interactions after the event opened.
About 200 people took a free shuttle ride with RIDE 347 while a local historian led a tour of the Heritage District. The Maricopa Historical Society also reported a record 355 visitors through its exhibits, and organizers are already looking at possible changes for future events, including parking, lighting and a shorter run time.
