Third Friday events to kickoff with new additions

By Jordan Studer
CCN Corespondent

GALION — With one year under their belt, the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce is making their Third Friday events bigger and better than ever.

The first event of the season is Friday, May 18 from 5 till 8 p.m. and will celebrate the end of the school year. Most of the evening will be centered around the gazebo in Galion’s Uptowne Square.

Miranda Jones, Chamber Member Engagement Director said, “Our goal with the Third Fridays is to follow our mission statement, which is to promote the growth and success of Galion area businesses.” She explained that the new additions being made will only continue to promote the family-friendly atmosphere that was created last year. She said they hope that community members will be intrigued by these enhancements and bring their family members out to enjoy the evening.

One of the new additions is a farmers’ market. Jones explained they added the farmers’ market because it is something Galion had lost, so the goal is to, “start out small by adding it to Third Friday to give community something.”  Jones said that the hope is to build up the amount of produce available each month as more fruits and vegetables come into season.

In an effort to keep every part of the event locally focused, another improvement was made: the Covert Food Court. According to Jones, Covert Manufacturing has agreed to sponsor the Food Court which will be consist of up to four local businesses/food vendors.

“Our mission at the Chamber is to promote Galion area businesses and to keep things going for them so we want to promote local businesses at Third Friday,” Jones explained.

At the May Third Friday, the businesses that will be selling items in the Covert Food Court will be: Rus-Men Farms with hamburgers and brats, East of Chicago with pizza by the slice, Bistro 217 with a variety of cookout food items, and Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream with a variety of homemade ice cream flavors.

Yet another addition made this year is that each Third Friday will now include a showing of a family-friendly movie in the Galion Community Theatre, beginning at 8 p.m., so the fun doesn’t have to stop!

“It’s a great way to stay in Galion the whole night and watch a familiar movie…it’s kind of a fun way to finish off the night locally,” Jones excitedly explained.

This month the movie is Grease. Tickets are $3 for kids and $5 for adults.

Continuing from last year, live entertainment will be held in the gazebo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. sponsored by Donley Ford. The line-up for the May Third Friday will have a variety of acts and community members performing.

At 5 p.m. students of Galion Intermediate School will be performing. The Galion Area Band will be sharing their talents with the community at 6 p.m., and the last act of the evening will be The Crazy Gringos, a local favorite, according to Jones.

This year, Donley Ford of Galion will be onsite with trucks and cars for attendees to  browse. They will hold a raffle each Third Friday with a chance to win different items. This month’s prize will be a $50 loyalty card that can be used for the purchase of services or parts.

If attendees enter the Donley Ford raffle each month, they will be entered to win one of three grand prizes. Grand prizes include tickets to Cedar Point, tickets to an Indians game, and a $200 gift certificate to Crossroads Candles.

For the event, businesses from Union Street all the way down to Liberty, will be keeping their doors open and offering various specials or discounts. Jones also shared that a select few businesses will be giving away free reusable canvas totes, that feature local a picture of Chamber members. Jones also mentioned that the totes will also be given out at the Uptowne Square.

There will also be other exciting things happening during the event, such as the unveiling of the new walking path in Galion, an initiative made by Walk Galion to encourage activity and good health in the community.

According to Jones, unless there is any thunder or lightning, the event will take place rain or shine, so, “grab your umbrella and head on up!” she said. “Hopefully the sun will poke on through!”