First Fridays are up and running
COSHOCTON – Our Town Coshocton has another season of First Fridays up and running.
“This was Cheryl’s (Triplitt-Wantuck) baby,” said Melissa Leist, president of Our Town Coshocton. “She loved doing it and to carrying it on for her is really exciting for us.”
Wantuck, who passed away earlier this year, was the founding member of Our Town Coshocton and the driving force behind First Fridays, which are held from 5 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of the month May through September in downtown Coshocton.
The Friday, June 3 First Friday will include a special recognition for Wantuck from her fellow Coshocton High School Class of 1964 members. They will dedicate a bench in her honor at 5 p.m. on the side of the court square that faces Main Street.
This month’s First Friday also will have its very first sponsor who will bring an activity to the court square.
“The Farmers Insurance John Ianniello Agency is bringing a huge inflatable obstacle course that is big enough for adults to do,” Leist said. “It’s double sided so you can challenge a friend.”
Our Town Coshocton is actively seeking sponsors this year.
“The board didn’t know that Cheryl was the sponsor of First Fridays all along,” Leist said. “We do have the kiddie games that Cheryl’s daughters graciously gave to the board to use, but we would love to find a sponsor for the train (from past First Fridays) to bring back because it has been requested.”
Anyone interested in becoming a First Friday sponsor or being a vendor at the events can visit http://ourtowncoshocton.com, e-mail OurTownCoshocton@gmail.com, contact the board members, stop at the Depot Shops, speak with Michelle Turner Ganz at Dean’s Jewelry, or reach out to the organization on its Facebook page.
Our Town Coshocton, however, isn’t just about organizing First Fridays.
“First Fridays started out as a way to keep people interested in learning about Our Town Coshocton and bringing people downtown to get them in front of businesses and services there,” Leist said. “It’s a tradition now, but we don’t want to be seen as doing just this. We want to be seen as project people and we are starting to take on small projects.”
They are working on a plan to get awnings on Main Street cleaned and in the future repaired, organizing block by block small cleaning projects and a trash can project.
“We are open to suggestions,” Leist said. “This isn’t a group that is just us. We want this to be a partnership of private and public sectors that involves the whole community.”
One example of how they already are working with others is the performance by Elvis impersonator Caesare Belvano. He will perform his Eternally Elvis show from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the Friday, June 3 First Friday in the artPARK on Main Street. The show is sponsored by Century 21 Court Square Realty, WTNS, Home Loan Savings Bank, Dean’s Jewelry, Peoples Bank, Dan Duren/Matt Drummond, Dile’s Faithful Cleaning and Coshocton Furniture.
“Elvis pairs so well with us and First Fridays,” Leist said. “We are in total support of this. The new Our Town Coshocton is all about working together and cooperating with other organizations.”
Our Town Coshocton formed as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2013 after founding members came together to address Coshocton’s overall need for revitalization. Our Town Coshocton embraces the Main Street Approach® promoting Coshocton as a hometown community and important county seat. They do this by utilizing the Main Street® principles that have been successful throughout Ohio and the country. Their mission is to stimulate the revitalization of Coshocton’s commercial core, adjacent historic districts and the town in general through awareness of our heritage, vital past and vital future, promoting a spirit of cooperation and pride in our town.
First Friday themes
Friday, June 3: Safety groups, clubs and service organizations will be recognized. Come meet first responders and thank them for keeping the community safe. You also can get information on different groups and find out how to join them.
Friday, July 1: Dog days of summer. There will be a pet parade and dog competition.
Friday, Aug. 5: First Farm Friday. Come visit with farmers to learn about their equipment, animals and products they produce.
Friday, Sept. 2: Football Friday tailgate. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite team colors.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
