Thirty-seven downtown businesses are coming together from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday to kick off the holiday season. Businesses in the Main Street Cultural District will be hosting the Holiday Art Walk, inviting local artists to display their work inside the businesses.

Many of the works will be for sale, with some artists giving demonstrations, while the hosting businesses offer refreshments.

“This is the largest Art Walk we’ve ever had,” said Angela Moore, director of the Main Street Cultural District.

Moore said it includes businesses Ames has never had involved before. There are new businesses downtown and many businesses have new members and managers this year, she said.

Moore said the businesses’ participation is the most important part of the Holiday Art Walk. They invite and coordinate the artists and provide appetizers, hot cocoa and wine tasting.

“It’s a win-win for both the businesses and the artists. The businesses are welcoming artists into their retail space allowing the artists to show and sell their work,” Moore said.

Aimee Deimerly-Snyder, co-owner of Lillie Mae Chocolates, said her store would be offering chocolate samples while artists Kristina Rice and Amber Russell display their handcrafted jewelry.

Lillie Mae Chocolates opened downtown on Sept. 1, making this its first time to be involved with the Holiday Art Walk.

Deimerly-Snyder said she is very excited and believes that it will be a feel-good evening.

“It’s always fun when the holidays bring the businesses together. The downtown area is the heart of Ames,” she said.

Deimerly-Snyder finds the Holiday Art Walk to be a great opportunity for students. She said they can find unique gifts for the holidays before they go home for break.

Ria Keinert, a physical therapist for HealthWise Resources, will be in her second year with the Holiday Art Walk.

“It’s a fun way to kick off the holiday season,” Keinert said. “It promotes a community holiday feeling. It gets everyone circulating through the businesses and promotes culture with the many artists.”

HealthWise Resources personally invited both artists that will be displaying work in its facility. Prairie Moon Winery, a local organic winery, will offer wine testing while Jo Myers-Walker will show her new work and work of her students from Left Bank Studio, Keinert said.

For students interested in art, Moore said, it’s a great opportunity to see the local artists at the Holiday Art Walk.

For those wishing to participate, there will be another free Art Walk in June.