New London - To bring a sense of community to downtown, more than 15 businesses here have agreed to stay open late on Friday nights and offer special events and activities."Friday Nights in the District" is being billed as a "weekly community event geared toward people of all ages."

"Friday Nights in the District" is being billed as a "weekly community event geared toward people of all ages."This Friday is the inaugural event and will feature a variety of activities. Participating businesses will stay open until 8 p.m.

This Friday is the inaugural event and will feature a variety of activities. Participating businesses will stay open until 8 p.m.This Friday's activities include pumpkin carving at Golden Street Gallery; talks by artist Kevin Gallagher at Aticc Boutique and artist Jorge Sarsale at Expressiones Cultural Center; and a pastel drawing demonstration by Deborah Curtis at Studio 33 Art and Frame Gallery.

This Friday's activities include pumpkin carving at Golden Street Gallery; talks by artist Kevin Gallagher at Aticc Boutique and artist Jorge Sarsale at Expressiones Cultural Center; and a pastel drawing demonstration by Deborah Curtis at Studio 33 Art and Frame Gallery.A $5 donation to Jennings Elementary School will get you a fortune reading at Arciolinda and Flavours of Life is offering $5 henna tattoos by Wandering Falcon Designs. Ghost stories relating to downtown will be told at the New London County Historical Society and the Custom House Maritime Museum will be open free of charge.

A $5 donation to Jennings Elementary School will get you a fortune reading at Arciolinda and Flavours of Life is offering $5 henna tattoos by Wandering Falcon Designs. Ghost stories relating to downtown will be told at the New London County Historical Society and the Custom House Maritime Museum will be open free of charge. The Muse is hosting the music of Theodore Geisel's Flying Laboratory and free hot chocolate will be available at Daniel's Dairy Downtown.

The Muse is hosting the music of Theodore Geisel's Flying Laboratory and free hot chocolate will be available at Daniel's Dairy Downtown."Friday Nights in the District" will run every Friday 6-8 p.m. through Dec. 18.

"Friday Nights in the District" will run every Friday 6-8 p.m. through Dec. 18. Other participating businesses include ALVA Gallery; Pinc at Arciolinda; Cadmarie Salon & Spa; Fiddleheads Natural Foods Cooperative; Greenlight Boutique; Takeout Gallery & Boutique; Golden Street Gallery; Whaling City Tattoo Museum; and Yoga at Blissworks.

Other participating businesses include ALVA Gallery; Pinc at Arciolinda; Cadmarie Salon & Spa; Fiddleheads Natural Foods Cooperative; Greenlight Boutique; Takeout Gallery & Boutique; Golden Street Gallery; Whaling City Tattoo Museum; and Yoga at Blissworks.For information call Rita Rivera-Riemer at (860) 333-4337.

For information call Rita Rivera-Riemer at (860) 333-4337.k.edgecomb@theday.com

k.edgecomb@theday.com