By Benjamin Davis / The Jambar
The downtown Youngstown event First Fridays returned to South Phelps Street on Oct. 3. Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy live music, shopping, local dining, arts and other recreational activities.
The event was hosted by the Downtown Youngstown Partnership in coordination with Youngstown CityScape.
As part of First Fridays, Program Director Adam Lee said vendors from all over Youngstown were encouraged to attend the event.
“We actually have a vendor application process and a small fee,” Lee said. “We try to make it very accessible because the goal is to create a vibe downtown, create a space and activate Phelps Street.”
Lee said First Fridays’ purpose was to bring a sense of life to downtown.
“The biggest goal is to make a vibrant downtown,” Lee said. “A lot of these events have been paired with the WesBanco Community Series. And so, the goal has been [to] have the free party on Phelps Street, and then drive people down Phelps to the amphitheater for a free concert to finish the night.”
Several vendor stalls were set up all along Phelps Street. Among those vendors was Ally Starzyk of Black Cat Cookie Co., who sold deep-dish cookies.
“They’re a bit thicker than typical cookies and a little more indulgent than a typical cookie. And I make other sweet things like cakes and cinnamon rolls as well,” Starzyk said.
Starzyk also said the sense of community she felt at the event was what she liked most about First Fridays.
“[The event] felt very much about community,” Starzyk said. “I felt like a lot of people really stopped by and made sure that they checked out everything and really got to know your business. And I just really loved how everybody was so supportive — it was a great event.”
The next First Fridays event will be held at the Wick Corridor on Nov. 7.