TodayFirst Fridays return with Spring Fling
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Article RatingDowntown Carlisle Association kicks off its 2008 season of “First Fridays” with a “Spring Fling” next Friday, April 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first three blocks of North Hanover Street.
Now in its third year, First Fridays are opportunities to showcase the shops, restaurants, businesses and people that make up downtown Carlisle.
The early years saw DCA and its promotions committee generate ideas for the event and then send out a flyer to business owners asking if they wanted to do something special for First Friday, said Karen Barone, DCA Main Street manager.
It was the right approach to take until business owners got used to the concept and started to look forward to First Friday as a regular event, Barone said.
“We learned something new every year,” she added. “The event matured.”
This year, the committee encouraged business owners to come up with their own ideas for the event, giving them, for the first time, a sense of ownership over First Friday, Barone explained.
The result has been a greater number and scope of activities than previous First Fridays. Also new this year is an event flyer with a map showing the businesses and off-street parking.
Free and open to the public, First Fridays are held rain or shine.
Spring Fling First Friday includes demonstrations into what goes into making or providing the goods and services customers use every day.
The public can learn the wine making process at the Carlisle Central Farmers Market (6 p.m.), photo restoration tips at Shutterbugs (5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and jewelry making at Colucci & Company (5 to 8 p.m.). Market Cross Pub will offer brewery tours (5:30 and 6:30 p.m.).
People can observe an acupuncture demonstration at Keystone Acupuncture & Wellness Center or check out the moves at the Carlisle Kung Fu Center. They can also visit the Pennsylvania State Bank and learn how to protect themselves from identity theft (5:30, 6:15, 7 and 7:30 p.m.).
Open houses
Several places will be hosting “open houses,” including St. John’s Episcopal Church, Birthright of Carlisle, the Greater Carlisle Chamber of Commerce (5-6:30 p.m.) and Union Fire House and Museum.
People can also visit newly renovated, upper-floor apartments at 34-36 N. Hanover St. from 5 to 8 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers from Carlisle Downtown Café and samples from Javid Indian Restaurant and Coldstone Creamery.
Special kids’ programs include a baby animal petting zoo behind the Carlisle Central Farmers Market, face painting at Carlisle Arts Learning Center, coloring books from Cornerstone FCA, super star photo shoots at Shutterbugs and fire hats and fire safety demonstrations at the Union Fire House. Jimbo the Clown will be making balloon sculptures.
Entertainment will include performances by the Hurdy Gurdies at North Hanover Grille, the Redd Herring Trio in front of 118 N. Hanover St., folk/pop guitar duets at the farmers market from 5 to 6 p.m., organ/piano recitals at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 6 and 7 p.m.; and the blue grass band Chatham County Line at the Good Life Cafe from 7 to 10 p.m.
The Central PA Swing Dance Club will be giving free dance lessons every half hour at their East North Street location known as “The Green Door.”
There will be opportunities to pick up free gifts from local businesses, including smoke alarms provided by Carlisle Fire Department, free blood pressure screenings at Sadler Health Center, free giveaways from F&M Trust, a free poster at Printed Image and food samples at Good Life Cafe.
“Spring Fling” First Friday is made possible by Gold Sponsor Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home and Crematory and Silver Sponsors Powers & Associates, LLC and Strickler Agency.
