How Will First Saturday Compare to First Friday?

, a free craft and street fair in Old Town Elk Grove is being reborn this weekend with some changes.

will have its , and will be held every month until October.

It was previously held on Fridays, but was over the festival being held while Elk Grove Boulevard was open to traffic. The street will now be closed to drivers, and the event was moved to a weekend to avoid conflicts with Friday commuters, Old Town Elk Grove Foundation President Paula Maita said.

"The fact that [Elk Grove Boulevard] is closed makes it a little bit more fun and a much more safe environment," she said.

Maita said this weekend's event will feature food trucks, a bounce house, an adult-friendly inflatable slide, a reception at the , and music from the Gary Mendoza Band. Crafters and other vendors will now have to pay for their spaces, and commercial vendors will be charged more and no more than eight will be allowed each month.

Kelley McClain, owner of , said she has high hopes for the event now that Elk Grove Boulevard will be closed and it has been moved to Saturdays.

"I think the Fridays were successful, but I think Saturdays will be better," she said. "For me they were great. Those four hours would usually pay for your rent."

Ruth Brown, who owns with her husband, said the events were a good way to get more exposure.

"You may not have good business during the event, [but] many people come in ... later [and say], 'We were down here for First Friday and found your little shop,' " Brown said, adding that she's excited Elk Grove Boulevard will be closed to traffic.

owner Dave Hipskind said he's seen business increase 20 to 25 percent since First Fridays began.

"I think Old Town and my store are little hidden gems that people don't know about, and every single First Friday we had … I'll have somebody come in and say, 'I didn't know Old Town was here,' " Hipskind said.

He guessed the Saturday events would attract more attendees, but maybe not at first.

"It may take us a while to get the word out that we changed," he said.

All three vendors said they gave input to the Old Town Elk Grove Foundation while plans for the new event were being fleshed out.

First Saturdays: Getting There

• What: First Saturday: Evening on the Boulevard, a craft and street fair with food, art, shopping and entertainment.
• When: From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month in June, July, September and October.
• Where: Old Town Elk Grove, between 2nd Avenue and School Street. in that area from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.