GALION — Nothing to do on a Friday evening in Galion?
Wrong. You’re just not looking hard enough.
Visit the uptown Galion area and listen to some good music, do a little shopping and grab something to eat. And you can win a pass to art camp for your kids.
The third version of a new program tabbed Third Friday in Galion gets underway at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The first two efforts resulted in hundreds of area residents on the square .. and beyond.
“I know some of the have had a big increase in business,” said Miranda Jones, member engagement director of the Galion-Area Chamber of Commerce and the force behind the TFIG events. “That’s the whole idea. We want to get people to come up town and see some of the places up here. There’s a lot more going on that people think.”
Some of the merchants have set up sidewalk displays to lure visitors to their businesses.
That’s a tactic Jones encourages more merchants and business owners to try.
“If you can do a little something to get people to come and visit, that’s better for everyone,” she said.
There are plenty of places where you can get pizza, sandwiches, coffee, deserts, a full meal, something from the grill and even a beer or two within three blocks of Public Square.
At 4:30 p.m., members of the Galion Graders will be available during a meet-and-greet. The team, with only 10 games left in its 2017 season, has been made a real effort to be a part of the community since they arrived in June.
Also, Galion has two-state qualifying Little League teams this year. The 12U team, unfortunately lost its first two games and is out of that tournament in Maumee. The 10U team plays its state-tournament opener Saturday in Englewood, Ohio.
Galion’s 11U team has taken part in the post season tournament and Galion’s 8U team last week won their own tournament at Heise Park, avenging a loss the previous week to a team from Lexington. The 8U squad will be in another tournament this weekend.
“We’re trying to get some of those guys up here, too,” Jones said. “I know the kids enjoy meeting the members of the Graders. They can get some pictures taken. I’m certain the Graders will enjoy spending a little time with the younger kids, too.”
At 5:30 p.m., the Galion Area Band will play for an hour or so. Members will entertain with their usual repertoire of favorites, from marches to rock.
At 6:45 p.m. will be a new addition to the TFIG lineup. Damian and Dan, billed “Ambassadors of Great American Song, will take to the gazebo stage to entertain. The duo includes Damian Boyd on the trombone and Dane Noe on keyboards.
“I’m excited,” Jones said. ‘We’re getting more people involved each week. And that was the idea when we started.”
This week, there are even some prizes for kids to win, courtesy of Contemporary Art Space,
At 7:30 p.m., Contemporary Art Space will give away 20 class passes to our Kids Art Camp for next week, of July 24-28. All you have to do is drop in and be present for the drawing at 7:30 next Friday to win a pass for one kid the whole week If you are an adult and still want to take part, that’s fine. You can give your pass to a kid.
The final Third Friday in Galion is Aug. 18, and Jones promises that will be the best one yet.
Learn more about TFIG on it’s Facebook page.
