Weekend Entertainment | Hang in There, Youngstown

Hallelujah!

After at least a thousand days of inconvenience, all streets in downtown Youngstown will finally be open to traffic Friday. That includes the final holdout – a one-block stretch of East Federal Street between Central Square and Champion Street.

The dark days of detours were caused by endless street reconstruction projects and the tragic explosion at Realty Tower.

Yes, it’s a big moment for people who live, work or party downtown.

And it’s just in time for the holiday parade, tree lighting ceremony, Flea on Phelps gift market and other hoopla that will take place Friday evening downtown.

The Flea on Phelps gift market will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. along Phelps Street and will feature unique items made by dozens of local makers and artisans.

The holiday parade will start at 6 p.m. and march from east to west along the length of Federal Street. More than 100 organizations will march in the parade, which sets a record, according to Melanie Clarke-Penella, the city’s director of events.

Lex the Entertainer of New York will serve as emcee of the parade from the main stage on Central Square. Before the parade, the Octave House Band will play jazz and funk classics on the stage.

Immediately after the parade, around 7 p.m., things will take a turn that can only be described as sublimely Youngstown.

Stan Boney, the veteran local TV newsman, accompanied by Idora and the Wildcats, will sing a jazzy rendition of “Hang in There, Youngstown.” It should be a real roller-coaster ride.

The song was released by Boney in the 1980s as a way to encourage residents to not give up despite the hard times caused by the collapsing steel industry, and to remind them of all the good things about the city.

The song was written by Youngstown native Mike Pachelli and recorded at Peppermint Recording Studio (of course!) on the South Side.

“Because Youngstown is on the edge of a new era, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate that feeling at our holiday parade than with a new version of this early 1990s anthem,” Clarke-Penella said. “The performance will remind us of the strength, resilience and hope that define our city.”

Boney said it’s been a while, but he’s ready.

“I haven’t sung that song publicly in nearly 40 years, but I am looking forward to giving it a shot,” he said. “It will be fun.”

Check out the original video of the song HERE. It might call to mind the theme song of every 1980s sitcom – but that only serves to make memories of the era more vivid.

There will be a lot of other things going on downtown Friday night. Here’s a look:

• Tree lighting, 7:15 p.m.
• Santa’s workshop and Spruce holiday pop-up shop, DeYor Performing Arts Center, 260 W. Federal St., 5 to 9 p.m.
• Youngstown Symphony Quartet performance (free). Also, a meet and greet with Belle, Elsa and Moana. DeYor PAC, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Free photos with Santa and Buddy the Elf, Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch. DeYor PAC, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Smarts open house, in the Ohio One Building. Free, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology open house, with free admission, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Pop-up library on Central Square, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Tyler History Center open house, 325 W. Federal, with free admission and cocoa in the lobby, 3 to 6 p.m.
• YSU art student holiday show and sale, Concept Studio, 217 W. Federal St., 4 to 7 p.m.
• Memories of Christmas Past exhibition, Arms Family Museum, 648 Wick Ave., noon to 4 p.m.
• Dueling Pianos, Penguin City Brewing, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Free parking will be available at a dozen lots downtown and in the university area.

For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.

Pictured at top: Santa Claus takes part in last year’s holiday parade in downtown Youngstown.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.