FIRST FRIDAY is back in Hood River on Friday, May 2, 2008.  This is also the weekend for the first Columbia Gorge Fiddle Contest and there will be fiddlers playing downtown to start off the First Friday celebration. The fiddlers will be playing until around 7 pm. Art and artists for May's First Friday include:

• Hood River Hotel- handmade greeting cards by artist Sarah Benson and glass & beaded treasures by Susan Arechaga
• 2nd Wind- Photography by Louie Buzas
• Waucoma Bookstore- Book signing by Mark Ribkoff-author of "Release the Pain, Heal Yourself"
• Columbia Center for the Arts- Photo contest winners- "If We Are Women"
• Brian's Pourhouse- Art by Karen Watson
• Doppio- Painting by Mark Nilsson
• The Pines Tasting Room- Art by Doug Byers  Music by Cashcow(blues & surf)
• Made in the Gorge- pottery, watercolors, jewelry, soaps, and more by various gorge artists
• Doug's Sports- Painting by Martha Ohlson