Great weather and rays of sunshine cascaded blue skies at the first annual ArtsRevive StreetFest Friday afternoon in downtown Selma.

With booths adjoining the Carneal Building on Water Avenue and Church Street, visitors and Selma natives perused different types of flowers, souvenirs, memorabilia and food venues while listening to big band music to celebrate “Alabama’s Best through Art, Music and All Things Alabama.”

Jill Melton, Selma-resident, said the event was something different for the city.

“It’s very nice out here,” Melton said. “It’s good for the community.”

Linda Harrell, supervisor for Cahaba Center for Mental Health Greenhouse, had such flowers as Vincas, Ferns, Begonias, Lantanas and Mexican Heather on display.  Just a few short hours into the event, Harrell said business had gone well for her.

“It’s been great today — a lot of people came out to buy and inquire about my booth,” Harrell said. “We’ve sold out of ferns.”

As volunteers helped to batter and fry fish and hushpuppies for the third annual Billy Atchison Catfish Fry, in honor of the late Alabama Power Company employee and community activist, fish plates sold rapidly to benefit Dallas County Crime Stoppers.

“We’re planning to sell 1,000 plates,” said Tommy Atchison, Billy’s son and Selma City Council representative. “We’ve been doing well all morning, so we’re almost there.”

Hanna Berger, who has worked in the Selma City School system, said she came out to support ArtsRevive.

“I wanted to see what was out here and see the new things,” said Berger as she walked briskly to booths. “It’s good for the city and it’s something to do.”

Local children also enjoyed themselves, playing on the giant inflatable bouncers.

“I liked the orchestra, the slides and the food,” said Sydney Chestnut, third grader at Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School. “Many kids came out and had fun.”

Morgan Academy students Mary Alan Ousley and Hayden Bruner, both enjoyed the orchestra.

“I liked everything, and this is something really good for Selma,” Bruner said.

Cheryl King, who owned a booth showing how old material can be transformed into something new, felt the event garnered a great response from the public.

“Next time there will be an even greater response,” King said. “A lot of good things happened, vendors sold a lot and I was excited to hear the orchestra.”

The event began with lunch and light music at 11 a.m. and ended around 9 p.m. The venue included music from local musicians and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in Birmingham during the evening.