As is usual this time of year, First Friday will be packed with events in and around downtown Statesboro.
    First Friday itself has the theme “Ag Night Out.” It runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the Bulloch County Courthouse lawn. It will have hands-on activities, including pumpkin carving, petting zoo, tractor exhibits, hay rides and farm games.
    Also at 5:30 p.m., author Terry J. Benton, who is originally from Sylvania, will be at the Averitt Center for the Arts showcasing his recently released novel, “Stiletto Mafia,” the second in the Empire Trilogy. The first is “Prelude to an Empire,” released in 2011.
    The books center around Russell Wright, a native of rural Georgia who struggles with family, friendships, relationships spirituality and sexuality. Benton said he is working on the third book in the trilogy.
    At 6 p.m., the Bulloch County Historical Society will unveil its latest historical marker honoring the “Fabulous 50 of 1906.”
    As the story goes, a delegation of 50 Bulloch County residents boarded the Savannah & Statesboro Railroad train bound for Savannah. There, they argued for, and eventually secured, the bid for a new college. That college was called First District A&M School and is now known University, according to “Georgia Southern University” by Delma E. and Beverly B. Presley.
Then at 7:30 p.m., the action shifts back to the Averitt Center, with the opening of “Cotton Patch Gospel,” a musical depicting the story of Jesus in rural Georgia. Proceeds benefit Open House Community Mission and the Saturday Soup Kitchen, which is hosted by Statesboro First United Methodist Church. Tickets are $15, and performances are also scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.