NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
15 April 2002

MAY 3 LATIN CELEBRATION TO KICK-OFF 3RD ANNUAL PNC ’FIRST FRIDAY’ SERIES ON MARKET SQUARE; MONTHLY DOWNTOWN PROMOTIONS HIGHLIGHT DIVERSITY OF CITY AND REGION

Harrisburg, PA — A summer long series of Market Square community celebrations begins Friday, May 3, with ’Latin Rhythms’, and continues through September, Mayor Stephen R. Reed today reported during an announcement of the 2002 PNC First Fridays Series. Featuring live music and other entertainment, foods, children’s activities and more, the family-oriented series is slated for the first Friday of each month, except July, from now through September.

Reed said the PNC First Friday Series is designed to highlight the rich culture of the Greater Harrisburg Region while also increasing after-hours visitation to downtown. The Series involves free live music and other arts performances and exhibitions, street performers, children’s activities, food and arts and craft vendors, and will be held on Market Square on the first Friday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. The schedule for the four, themed-celebrations includes the May 3 — Latin Rhythms; June 7 — Rhythm, Blues & Soul; August 2 — Rock & Roll; and September 6 — Decades of Music.

The Mayor said both visitors and downtown workers are invited to attend the events, with plenty of free and convenient parking available in Center City parking garages. The events will be held in the first block of N. Second Street on Market Square, with that part of the Square closed-off to traffic. The Square will close to traffic in mid- afternoon to allow for the placement of stages and other event structures.

Reed said the opening Latin Rhythms showcase on May 3 coincides with the popular Mexican Cinco De Mayo national holiday, and will feature live music and dance from Chance, El Mariachi and Danzante. Additional artists for the remaining First Friday events include June 7 — Tarpley & Sound and the Full Effect Band; August 2 — UUU, Cheap Sneakers and Steve Whiteman & Funny Money; and September 6 — Latigo Smith, Rico and the Ravens and Pentagon.

Jointly sponsored by the Downtown Improvement District, the city and PNC Bank, the PNC First Friday Series was first begun in 2000 under the auspices of the Mayor’s Millennium Commission, a civic enhancement task force appointed by the Mayor in late 1999 to undertake a variety of city projects. Additional support for the event this year is being provided by Strawberry Square, the Hilton Hotel and Towers, Home Depot, Jump Street, Ngozi, The Shops on Third, WTPA 93.5, Hot 92, WNNK 104, The Touch, ABC TV-27, Wilsbach Distributors and the Dauphin County Commissioners.

“The object of the PNC First Fridays Series,” said Mayor Reed, “is to highlight the rich culture of our community while simultaneously increasing interest and visitation in downtown during evening hours. Each month’s theme also coincides with other major events being held in the city, such as the African American Festival in Reservoir Park in June, and the American MusicFest held along the waterfront during the Fourth of July Holiday weekend.”

Reed said the monthly events include plenty of children’s activities, so the entire family is welcome to attend. “Parents may want to consider making it a full day of fun by visiting City Island, the Whitaker Center or exploring any of Harrisburg’s many other attractions before coming to Market Square.” The Mayor noted that Whitaker Center’s IMAX Theater has regular evening showtimes for festival attendees to consider while they are in downtown.

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