Monday, June 29, 2009

Independence in The Valley

Downtown Youngstown will be lit up during Fourth of July Weekend.

Lyndsey Hughes, downtown director of events and marketing, says downtown events will start with Party on the Plaza with cover bands Sonic Age and The Houseband. The bands don’t start playing until 8, but you can sign up next to the stage for the July 3rd Downtown Dash.

Hughes says there are 12 bars participating this year: The Royal Oaks, Cassese’s MVR, The Youngstown Club, Cafe Cimmento, Buffalo Wild Wings, Skeeters Jazz Bar, Downtown 36, Barleys, Old Precinct, Rosetta Stone, Cedars and The Draught House. She says pre-sale tickets can be purchased for $5 from any of the participating bars and those tickets include two drink tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the registration booth for $7, but do not include the two free drink tickets, she says.

Hughes says a 55-passenger bus will make a loop around the bars from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. She says participants don’t have to drink alcohol at every bar and the first 100 people to visit each establishment will receive a free T-shirt when they arrive back at the registration table.

Proceeds from the event were initially advertised as benefiting the Pincham Initiative Resource Center. With founder Edna Pincham’s recent passing, Hughes is unsure if the organization will remain in existence, but says the dash will benefit a local charity.

Hughes says this holiday marks the anniversary of the first Downtown Dash, planned by then-director of special events Phil Kidd. She says when Kidd organized the event, it drew about 430 people. There have been two dashes since then, organized by Hughes. One had a great turnout, and the other one did not.

“The one we did for St. Patty’s Day we had 545 [people],” Hughes says. “Cinco de Mayo was horrible, we had about 60 [people], but that was during the week, so I’m hoping we get upwards of 400-plus people.”

The following evening, downtown will host live music and a fireworks display.

Hughes says local musician Khaled Tabbara from The Zou will do an acoustic set near the Civil War monument from 7 to 8 p.m. Jones for Revival will then play a set from 8 to about 9:15, Hughes says. Following the live music, there will be a fireworks display launched from the Covelli Centre.

Hughes says there will be no outdoor food or beverage vendors, but most of the local bars and restaurants will be open on the holiday. However, current confirmed closings include The Youngstown Club, University Pizzeria, Rosetta Stone and both the B&O Station and the B&O Station Boxcar Lounge.

Other Fourth of July events include:

June 30

• The Trumbull County Fair, featuring the Truck and Tractor Pull and the Demolition Derby runs today through July 5 with fireworks on the last night. For more information, visit trumbullcountyfair.com.

July 2

• Back to the 50’s Weekend in Cascade Park, New Castle, is held July 2 - 5. The event features car shows, food and oldies bands. For more information, visit backtothe50sweekend.com.
• US Army Field Band & Soldiers Chorus at Westminster College starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Brittain Lake Amphitheater. Fireworks at dusk. For more information, call 724-946-7371.

July 3

• Shakers in Liberty will have free live music from 7 to 10 p.m. and a DJ from 10 to close. They’ll be serving lamb and chicken, food off the spit at 7 p.m. Free.
• Ellwood City Arts, Crafts and Food Festival, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3 through 5 at Ewing Park. More than 200 crafters and 30 food booths, children’s area, art show and all day entertainment. Fireworks will close out the night. Free. For more information, visit ellwood-city-festival.net.
• Independence Day Celebration at Westminster College, 7:30- 9:30 p.m. at the Brittain Lake area. Old-fashioned 4th of July celebration featuring River City Brass Band and Fireworks. There will be food available and bring your lawn chair or blanket. No cover. For more information, call (724) 946-7371.
• A Star Spangled Spectacular at Courthouse Square in Mercer. Ice cream social, music by Mixed Greens and the Mercer Community Band. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free. Rain location is Mercer High School Auditorium. For more information, call (724) 699-9124.
• Community Patriotic Program at Grove City College Football Field. An evening of musical entertainment by the Harrisville Community Band, followed by fireworks. Program begins at 8 p.m.

July 4

• Mid-Summer Explosion at Quaker City Raceway featuring nostalgia drags. $10 to $15 and doors open at 10:30. For more information, visit quakercityraceway.com.
• Fourth of July Community Picnic at Split Level Niteclub. For more information, visit Split Level’s MySpace.
• Fourth of July party at Skate Zone Fun Center in Austintown. Features face painting and the Family of Four Gaming Package for $29.99. This package includes unlimited skating and miniature golf, bumper car passes and a game of laser tag. There will also be food specials and prizes.
• Unity House Fourth of July Bash featuring La Verite and Moving Mountains. $7. Show starts at noon.
• Canfield Idol at the Canfield Green. The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. after the city’s parade. Other events will continue throughout the day. For more information, call (330) 503-0585 or visit canfieldidol.com.
• Fireworks display by Rotary Club of Canfield. Starts at 6 p.m. at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
• Fourth of July Celebration at Pearson Park, New Castle. Features food, fire truck rides, clown face painting and entertainment by the Red Coat Band and DJ American Mobile Sound. Fireworks start at 9:45. Free. For more information, call 724-652-8842.
• Fourth of July Celebration and Parade at Gazebo Park, Howland. Stars and Stripes 5K or walk starts at 8 a.m. The parade begins at 10, followed by games, music and food. For more information, call 330-856-2340 or visit howlandtownship.org.
• 63rd Annual Fourth of July Parade, downtown Newton Falls. For more information, call 330-872-1989.
• Outdoor Concert at Mosquito Lake Marina, Bazetta. Outdoor concert featuring Rudy & The Professionals. Food available for purchase at the Fast Food Island. Free. For more information, call 330-637-2075 or visit mosquitolakemarina.com.
• Fins to the Left at the Warren Community Amphitheatre. Tribute to Jimmy Buffet. Food & beverages available for purchase. No coolers permitted. For more information, call 330-922-8399 thesummitentertainment.com.
• W.D. Packard Concert Band with soprano Dana Victor and narrator Joel Stigliano, Packard Music Hall, Warren. Outdoor concert with fireworks. Event starts at 7 p.m. Free. For more information, call 330-841-2931 or visit packardmusichall.com.
• Columbiana Fourth of July Celebration at Firestone Park. Begins at 8 a.m. For more information, visit columbianachamber.com.