More than 10 Franklin Street businesses participated in what was expected to be the busiest night in town Friday, with approximately 2,000 Evansville locals in attendance.

Each business had representatives handing out beads and welcoming people into the shops to see what they had to offer.

People poured into bars such as Sportsman’s Grille & Billiards, Tin Man Brewing Co., and Lamasco Bar and Grill. Many bars were nearly beyond capacity, with people standing shoulder to shoulder just trying to get a drink.

Smaller businesses like Southwest Grafix, Stop and Roll, and Heirloom Records were also involved in handing out beads to attract customers.

New shops were also debuting their services for the Mardi Gras Franklin Crawl, hoping to see how the locals would receive these businesses.

PG, a new coffee shop/bar/art gallery, drew in many different types of people while featuring “contemporary regional artists” and fairly recognizable pieces from the area for all art lovers.

PG also has a cafe, equipped with breakfast, lunch and night menus, which they call “a unique personalized menu using the most local, organic, delicious and affordable ingredients as possible.”

An even cooler aspect of PG is their arcade games and library. The business also plans on showing films and hosting shows.

Professor of ceramics and 3-D design Alisa “Al” Holen said she was having one hell of a time. Arriving at Franklin Street around 7 p.m., she was there to experience some earlier events.

“This is what makes the west side the best side,” she said.

The Minneapolis native said she has seen art and productivity flourish in other places like this, and it’s finally happening here.

“This is beautiful,” Holen said. “Work ethic and art go together.”

Tin Man Brewing Co. had a classic Mardi Gras celebration. The first floor was filled with locals celebrating, reuniting and admiring the brewing equipment.

On their way upstairs, Tin Man employees and volunteers were adorning people with beads and ushering them to the second floor.

Upstairs, the bar was filled with excited individuals. Local musicians Monte Skelton and Theo Akai were playing what they called “New York street-corner jazz” and entertaining the crowd. A local belly-dancing troupe performed, fascinating the crowd with their footwork.

John Bugg, owner of Heirloom Records, said he was excited about the first annual Mardi Gras Franklin Crawl.

“Instead of having just a pub crawl, we wanted to promote Franklin Street as a whole,” he said. “We want to promote smaller businesses.”