A young skater gets a steady hand during First Friday, where families filled the downtown activity zones and Chamber of Commerce Becky Fawson reported vendors spots were sold‑out to start Kingman’s 2026 season. Allen Scott
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KINGMAN — A chilly breeze didn’t deter the crowds Friday evening as downtown Kingman launched its first First Friday event of 2026, drawing a strong turnout of families, vendors, and community groups along Beale Street.
Last year, a City of Kingman AI crowd estimator app recorded 9,000 people attending a First Friday event. By the looks of this first 2026 event, a crowd estimate could easily exceed that mark. Chamber of Commerce President Becky Fawson said the response exceeded expectations for this season opening event.
“We are absolutely sold out of vendor spaces,” Fawson said. “We’ve got just about everything you can think of—activities for the kids, there’s a scavenger hunt going on, and we’re selling tickets for a Ranger that will be a fundraiser for the Chamber for this year.”
For clarity, that raffle prize is a Ford Ranger, not the forest‑friendly Smokey Bear.
Each First Friday in the summer series carries its own theme. Fawson said May’s event will tip its hat to the Kentucky Derby.
“In May, we’re off to the races and we’ll be celebrating our Stick Pony Derby,” she said. “And then in June, we’re going to have ‘outdoor adventures,’ so we’ll have Arizona Game and Fish, our parks departments, and things to learn all about the outdoor activities here in our area.”
First Fridays are typically paused in July due to the heat, but this year’s schedule makes an exception in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, bringing a special edition of the event to mid‑summer.
Vendor booths and public‑service tents stretched from 1st Street to 6th Street, along Beale Street, with cross‑street closures extending toward Andy Devine Avenue. Among the agencies on hand was the Kingman Police Department, which sees the event as a valuable outreach opportunity.
“Because we serve the community,” said Kingman Police Captain Brian Zach. “What better way to interact with the community is there than to be where they’re at? We meet all ages—from kids to adults. They have questions and concerns that we can hear right here, and we can just get to know each other.”
With strong attendance and a full slate of activities, organizers say the 2026 season is off to a promising start. First Friday events will continue monthly through November.
Allen Scott
