ELMIRA, N.Y (WENY) -- "Alive After Five" has returned to downtown Elmira. People came out to enjoy the live music and local restaurants. 

This is the first of eight concert events that Elmira Downtown Development is putting on, this summer season. At least 100 people came out to listen to "Sunshine & Whiskey" and "Major Big Time." 

Kylene Kiah, the Executive Director of Elmira Downtown Development, oversees the organizing for "Alive After Five,” this summer. Kiah said this fun event basically acts as a "Happy Hour" for people to check out when they get off work. 

“This is great for the community because we get people out doing stuff,” she said. “It's been a hard three years so...just having everyone come down, frequent the businesses, and have a good time. It's perfect.” 

Kiah said a lot of work goes into the street festival but, it is all worth it to see everyone celebrate what the City of Elmira has to offer. Local businesses, bands, and volunteers all pitch in to make Friday nights as fun as possible. 

Katie Flynn, the Events Coordinator at Elmira Downtown Development, said she expects this year to be extra special. 

“I feel like this feels like the first summer where we're fully post-Covid and I think people are finally itching to get out and feel safe doing so,” she said.  

Elmira residents Natalie Hughes and Ashley Ehrhardt were excited to come out and listen to the live music. Hughes said she loves to see the community come together. 

“It's just great, you know, the kids can be involved, the adults are involved, it's just really nice to see this community coming together as one,” she said. “The live music is really good, I will say...”