My fondness for Fridays has been documented in this space before (the day, not the restaurant, although of the major Americana chains, T.G.I.'s is probably my favorite). There is just something magical about Fridays. When you leave work to go home on Friday, there is a sense of infinite possibilities. The second you change out of your work clothes, the second you take that first sip at happy hour, the second you sit down on the couch; whatever that moment is that lets you know the weekend is finally here, it's a glorious thing. I had never realized that Central Pennsylvania has not one, not two, not three but four First Friday celebrations to help you shake off the work week at the beginning of each month. First Friday is a great thing. It's a chance to grab a bite with friends, have a few cocktails, look at some art and celebrate the downtown experience. This weekend would be the perfect chance to check out First Friday in Carlisle, New Cumberland, Lancaster or Lebanon. I know that some of those are a bit out of our normal coverage area, but I find it interesting that so many communities in this general area have embraced the concept of First Friday. After doing a little bit of research about each of the events, it seems like the four can be divided into pairs pretty easily. The events in Carlisle and New Cumberland are family-oriented community events with live music, children’s activities and other similar attractions. The events in Lancaster and Lebanon are more traditional First Friday celebrations, which is to say that they are basically gallery and restaurant walks. Between those four events and the Harrisburg Gallery Walk on Sunday, this is the perfect weekend to do something artsy. Saturday, you can check out art of a completely different kind at the PA National Quilt Extravaganza. I hate to stereotype, but I get this picture in my head of hundreds of friendly, white-haired old women making quilts together in the Farm Show Complex. If you are looking to get your kids out of the house, the Quilters Convention might not be the best idea. Instead, you could take them to the Children’s Story Time and Discovery Walk at Wildwood Lake or the Family Explor-a-Story at the Madeline Olewine Memorial Library. If you did go to a First Friday, plan on going to to the Gallery Walk Sunday and want to make it a really artsy weekend, you could go to the first event in the Florestan Recital Project at Dickinson College. If you just want to go to a bar (believe me, I’m not judging) there’s a bluegrass tribute to Modest Mouse at Appalachian Brewing Company. As I mentioned, Sunday is the Gallery Walk. It’s also the first day of the first ever Harrisburg Restaurant Week, which is something I’ll be talking about more next week. If anyone goes to the Gallery Walk or any of the participating restaurants, come on back and post a comment. I’m going to try to do both, but I feel like I might make it to the Gallery Walk and hit Restaurant Week Monday or Tuesday night. Have fun kids.

Slow Food Harrisburg is hosting a farmers market tour and lunch in Carlisle this Saturday, Aug. 9. Carlisle Area Farm Tour & Lunch Saturday, August 9 9 a.m. -  Meet at Piatto for coffee and artisan pastries 9:30 a.m. -  Tour of the two Carlisle Farmers Markets 11 a.m. - Tour of local producers 2 p.m. - Lunch at Piatto 4 p.m. - Jazz in the park More information after the jump. From the Slow Food e-newsletter: The Carlisle & Newville areas have exploded with local producers selling fresh organic vegetables, free-range chickens and eggs, artisan cheese and handmade crafts.  The area also boasts two vibrant farmers markets.  Food writer and Slow Food Harrisburg member Kay Graham has put together a great program. At 9am assemble at Piatto, 22 West Pomfret Street, for coffee and pastries.  The group will tour the two Carlisle Farms Markets, then carpool to explore the local farm stands, including Otterbein Farms.  Kay will distribute a map to help with navigation. The group will return to Piatto's garden for lunch.  Either bring a dish to share made with local ingredients or sample some dishes made specially for us by Piatto and California Cafe.  Then around 4pm, the garden hosts a free concert, the Gabjo Playboys specializing in Parisian-style jazz. Please contact Kay Graham (717-386-9825 or timeagain@comcast.net) for more information.

Judging by the fact that Friday posts don’t get read as much as the rest, I’ve decided to bump up weekend posts to Thursday afternoon. That way you can peruse them whenever you happen to have time to kill on Friday. First, a few events span the whole weekend and are worth checking out. Bikefest is in Carlisle this weekend, and if you have even the slightest interest in motorcycles, you’ll have a great time. Even if you don’t, it might be worth having a look. There are 10 local bands playing and traditionally Bikefest is a pretty wild event. Take the kids at your own risk. The Senators also have a three-game home set against Altoona that runs Friday through Sunday. Might be a more family-friendly event. Friday night you could also take the kids to see the Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne. Doesn’t this seem like a strange career choice for Avril? Three platinum albums and she’s opening for a boyband created by the Disney hype machine? Not that I’m saying there is anything wrong with the Jonas Brothers, they are probably the most famous band that I have never heard a single song from. If you are looking for a more local flavor, The Underwater is at Gullifty’s. If you’re looking for a different flavor entirely, the Greater Harrisburg Concert Band will be in Camp Hill. Saturday night, you can watch the movie “Hairspray” live in Reservoir Park. For those of you who prefer live musical theater to filmed musical theater, the Rose Lehrman Arts Center is putting on a production of flirty, summery, softball musical “The Boy Friend.” Also on Saturday night, Lakeherst will be celebrating the release of their latest album with a show at the Whitaker Center. They’re good, the album is good, check it out. Brad Paisley is at the Giant Center too, making it two big concerts in two nights in Chocolatetown. Actually, three big concerts in three nights (depending on how you feel about teen power pop, country and radio alternative) since 3 Doors Down will be at Hersheypark Stadium on Sunday with Staind and Hinder. All in all, it should be a fun weekend if you are trying to drive around the Hershey area. Sunday also features two outdoors community events, a Multi-Cultural Latino Picnic in Steelton and the latest installment of the Italian Lake Concert Series. As for me, I’ll be at the beach. Have fun kids.