First Weekends in Plattsburgh

A group of business, non-profit, and government leaders have organized a new series of downtown events in Plattsburgh this summer. The “First Weekends in Plattsburgh” series will include music, sports demonstrations, art displays, children’s entertainment, history/museum exhibits and business discounts.

The first “First Weekends in Plattsburgh”, on June 7 and 8, is organized in conjunction with the June 9 Plattsburgh “Biggest Loser” festivities and the soft opening of the new Strand Theater on the evening of Saturday, June 8, with a performance by the Quartetto Gelato.

First Friday Each Month this Summer

Beginning on the First Friday of each month throughout the summer, new downtown attractions include something for all ages. On Friday evenings, there will be art displays and music at the Strand Center for the Arts and artwork distributed around businesses and other locations in Plattsburgh. A free map will be provided to participants that shows the location of artwork around the downtown core.

The map also details where “First Weekends in Plattsburgh” events will also occur on the following Saturday afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m, immediately following the Farmer’s Market. The artwalk from the previous First Friday evening will be on display. In addition, downtown sidewalk and street music can be enjoyed along City Hall Place.

There will be activities for children and the young at heart throughout the summer. They include sidewalk chalk art, history displays and dramatizations, exhibits from the Children’s Imaginarium Museum, skating demonstrations from the Lumber Jills roller derby team, and other interesting activities.

Those who attend the First Friday evening events will also be given coupons to return the next day and enjoy a 10% discount at numerous participating merchants the following Saturday afternoon. Coupons can be picked up at participating businesses or at the Strand Center for the Arts.

These attractions are in addition to the Rota Gallery Really Really Free Day at Trinity Park on Saturday, June 15, Mayor’s Cup festivities the weekend of July 12, and the Battle of Plattsburgh celebration culminating on the weekend of September 13 with a free concert by the band Lucid.

“First Weekends in Plattsburgh” on Facebook

Events vary throughout the summer. For more information and a more detailed schedule of events on July 5-6, August 2-3, and September 6-7, please see the “First Weekends in Plattsburgh” Facebook Page. Businesses and exhibitors, and volunteers that would like to participate are invited to contact Tim McCormick at 518-420-2224.

When asked about the “First Weekends in Plattsburgh” event, Colin Read said “This event brings together the best that Plattsburgh has to offer, between the organizers, businesses, non profits, artists, and musicians all are volunteering because they love their community and understand through active participation we can all make a difference.”

Mark Tiffer who has been a supporter since he heard about the idea added, “I am proud to be a part of the community action group that has turned this V2A vision into a reality. The number of people who have volunteered their time and money to make the “First Weekend” a reality in 2013 shows that everyone in the community, both inside and outside the city understand that the downtown economy is important to all.”

Related articles

• Quartetto Gelato at The Strand on Saturday (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• First Weekend events kick off Friday and Saturday (pressrepublican.com)
• Essex Community Concert Benefit: Goff Brothers (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)