Get ready for Street Dance in Youngstown

Event has appeal to all ages

by Allison Deutschman

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association has held its annual "Beginning of Summer Street Dance" on the last Thursday of June since 2010.

This year will be no exception.

The number of local participants who gather on Youngstown's Main Street to celebrate the completion of school and official beginning of summer has more than tripled over the last four years. Look for that interest to continue to build for 2014.

With the addition of a vintage car show in the Hinman Street parking lot, YBPA president Cheryl Butera expects more than 1,500 people to attend.

"The whole concept behind this street dance," Butera said, "It's all about giving back to the village."

Local businesses such as Ashker's Juice Bar, Bella Faccia Skin Spa, Melloni's Market Place, Youngstown Village Diner and more will be on the street with such crowd pleasers as free cotton candy, free face painting locations, and assorted "picnic friendly" food options such as hotdogs and sausages for a small charge.

And that's not all:

•The new Mug and Musket Tavern, located in the former Brennan's Irish Pub at 418 Main St., is expected to offer visitors a preview of what's to come.

•The Village of Youngstown Recreation Department will be selling bottles of water with proceeds to benefit scholarship programs and the library.

•For the little ones, Lakeside Quarter Horses will offer $1 pony rides and a bake sale to support 4H club programs.

•Wild Critters will visit with an informational booth and face painting from 6 to 8 p.m. Still more face painting will be offered by Bella Faccia Skin Spa's Christine Gaffney and Heather.

•A 50/50 raffle will be split between the winner and YBPA. YBPA's portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Company for their new ambulance fund drive.

"You give it (YBPA's contribution) to a worthy cause." Butera commented.

And adults and children alike can nibble on free popcorn, courtesy of the Youngstown Lions, while enjoying the entertainment on Main Street.

•For the younger set, Nick Conde will bring a brand-new "bounce-n-around bounce house" with basketball nets attached - perfect for shooting hoops with the free beach balls distributed by Anchor Spirits.

•Amy Roush's local dancers will also perform at the street dance.

•The Carl Motyka Band will provide the sounds, and visitors of all ages can check out the vintage car show on Hinman Street, organized by Josh Stack of The Boat Works and Village Trustee Tim Adamson. Plus, Mike Fox's Niagara Jet Adventures will showcase one of its new jetboats on the street.

This event is open to the general public and made possible by the 65 members of the YBPA plus local support.

In the event of rain, the Street Dance will take place in the Youngstown Red Brick School Village Center on Lockport Street.

For additional information on the Street Dance, visit the YBPA on Facebook or contact Butera at 716-745-7989.