The Mill Race Farmer’s Market will be at the center of many of the activities on Friday, beginning at 5 p.m.

The farmer’s market will mark the starting and finishing point of a 5k run and 3k walk. The course will proceed south on the Mill Race trail and make a loop in Shanklin Park.

Registration for the race begins at 5 p.m. (the cost is $20), and the race begins at 6 p.m. Participants can save $5 if they register early online.

The farmer’s market will also host an exposition of over ten local environmental organizations.

Among these groups are Earth Group, the Elkhart River Alliance, the Soil/Water Conservation/Storm Water Partnership and Chain Reaction.

Music will also be part of the festivities on Friday, with the farmer’s market hosting Double Barrel Darrel from 5-7:30 p.m. and the Wooden Pegs from 7:30-9 p.m.

At 7 p.m., there will be a short discussion on community gardening. Discussion will focus on linking together the donors of seeds, time, expertise and land.

This issue seems especially important in a time with such a low unemployment rate. Paul Steury, Merry Lea education coordinator, said, “I’m very excited and hopeful about [the meeting]. Why not grow a large area with produce and give it away to those that need some good local food?”

New World Arts is also participating in Green Day in its own unique way. “Improv Battle Royale,” will “recycle” games from the popular shows “Whose Line is it Anyway” and “Comedy Sports.” There will be a family friendly show at 7 p.m. and an adult-oriented show at 9 p.m.

Choose between a variety of activities and bike, walk or run downtown to support First Friday’s Green Day. For more information, visit http://www.gofridays.com.

The Minor Profits and Grooveside, both local bands, will perform from 6-9 p.m. at the Goshen Theater. Those looking for a more interactive night of music can attend swing dance lessons given by the Goshen College Swing Club from 7-8 p.m. at the Spohn Ballroom at 109 E. Clinton St. Lessons will be followed by a concert and dancing with the Kelly Jay Band from 8-11 p.m.

Wayne Harshberger, a local stone sculptor, will unveil his latest project in front of the Shutterhugs building on 132 S. Main St. at 6:30 p.m.

For the second time this year First Friday activities will spill into Saturday, this time with the spring version of the Goshen Open Studio tour. The tour features the work of local artists and galleries from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.

New World Arts will launch their new monthly improvisational comedy series “Improv Battle Royale (with cheese),” with a family-friendly performance at 7:00 p.m. and an “Adult Only Limburger” round at 9:00 p.m.

Based on shows such as “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and “Comedy Sportz,” New World’s improv performances will feature local actors competing against each other in a variety of comedic theater games.

Student admission is based on the roll of a dice; you pay the number you roll. Adult admission works similarly, except with an added $4 entrance fee.

All other First Friday events are free of charge. For more information, visit www.gofridays.com.

Several films will be shown nonstop from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Goshen Theater. Two will be independent films: Skateboarder Romance by Taylor Wogoman, about a skater who is late for a date with his girlfriend; and Tanked by Richard Keel, about a man struggling with life after his infant son dies, and life seems to be “tanked.” Following the two films, Kung Fu Panda will show at 7 p.m. All films are free.

The new “Goshen is 4 Lovers,” is a week-long event where downtown Goshen restaurants and merchants will have Valentine’s Day themed specials, beginning on First Friday and continuing until February 14. South Side Soda Shop will serve various seafood dishes, including jumbo shrimp, fresh Norwegian salmon, snow crab clusters and Nick’s homemade crab cakes.

Other specials include handmade bud vases with flowers of your choice, from Lehman-Goertzen Pottery, 1100 Chicago Avenue, in the Old Bag Factory. For more informtaion, visit http://blog.goshenis4lovers.com.