The crawl paired 23 local artists with 23 businesses, each participant receiving a $100 stipend. Organizers said the goal was to preserve the sense of community that First Friday has built over nearly two decades while giving artists a way to network and show their work without feeling isolated.

“First Friday is more than an event; it is a day of the month, it's a community experience, so you can't stop that,” said Izaac Zevalking, owner of Recycled Propaganda and one of the crawl's coordinators. “Tonight we are just trying to respond in a positive way and keep that momentum going. Keep it a day of the month where artists have the freedom to express themselves, but also freedom to network with other artists and not feel so isolated.”

Zevalking has been involved with First Friday for nearly 15 years. He said the alternative crawl was designed to maintain the monthly tradition that has made the Arts District a hub for local creativity.

The event follows a shooting during last month's First Friday festivities that left one teenager dead and another facing several felony charges, including murder. In response, the City of Las Vegas paused First Friday for November and December to address safety concerns.

Mayor Shelley Berkley said during a Thursday briefing that the city wants First Friday to return but that public safety remains the top priority. The two-month suspension, she said, will give the city, law enforcement partners and event organizers time to discuss additional security measures.

“We are talking about more of a metro presence and a Las Vegas City marshal presence to keep the peace,” Berkley said. “We are discussing curfews, we are discussing although it would be very difficult for metal detectors coming in, but there are so many ways to get into First Friday it would probably be impossible to create barriers.”

Nevada Assemblymember Miguel Dávila, who represents District 15, said the alternative crawl also provides an opportunity to evaluate what safety measures could work for future events.

“It is actually providing another option, an opportunity to provide the security and the stakeholders with what works and what doesn't work,” Dávila said. “This is a good opportunity to test what made the Arts District in the first place — exactly this — that you could go from bar to bar, and you could go from different venues and check out the art and it didn't feel so overwhelming and there was a little bit more crowd management and control. So how do we get to a place where everybody can enjoy it in a way that is safe?”

One participating artist and vendor with Chill Factory said the arts community has long provided a peaceful gathering space.

“The arts is a great, peaceful thing and has nothing to do with glorifying violence or paying attention to it,” the artist said. “We're all here to get away from those things in life, and it's always been a safe place to come.”

First Friday is expected to remain suspended through the end of the year, with a potential return in January. In the meantime, organizers and participating businesses say they hope alternative events like the art crawl will help maintain the momentum of the Arts District and support the small businesses that depend on the monthly foot traffic.

The crawl drew visitors to venues across the district, offering a smaller-scale, walkable experience that some participants said felt more manageable than the large crowds First Friday typically attracts. Organizers said they plan to continue the alternative format while the city works with event organizers on a safety plan for First Friday's return.