×

Tourism showcase

First Friday events raise awareness of local attractions

ERIN O’NEILL The Marietta Times Diana Shuck, an employee of American Flags and Poles and an organist at Twin Rivers Baptist Church, demonstrates the Allen electric organ that she will be playing during May’s First Fridays event. The 20-year-old instrument is currently housed at the store on Front Street.

The theme of May’s First Fridays event will highlight tourism in the area and will bring a special treat for people of all ages on Friday evening.

“Ohio’s First Adventure” will spotlight the Washington County Historical Society, the Children’s Toy and Doll Museum, the Wayne National Forest and many other activities in the Mid-Ohio Valley. A tourism showcase will be held at both the Ohio River levee and the armory lawn from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday.

“May is National Tourism Month and we are trying to raise awareness of the impact of tourism on Marietta and Washington County,” said Jeri Knowlton, executive director of the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A lot of times people don’t know what there is to do even in their own backyard.”

The tourism industry employs 2,100 in the county and contributes $156 million in direct sales and $6.1 million in tax dollars annually, according to Knowlton.

Some of the activities that will be part of the tourism showcase include history, outdoor recreation and entertainment, all facets that make Marietta unique.

First Fridays is organized by Marietta Main Street and highlights a different theme each month. There are 22 restaurants and 40 retailers that participate in the event, held from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Marietta and Harmar Village.

A taste of a special August First Fridays will be given to patrons of American Flags & Poles this Friday as they will be able to enjoy music from a 20-year-old Allen electronic organ played by employee Diana Shuck.

“I play organ and piano at Twin Rivers Baptist and I actually learned to play the organ before I could play piano,” Shuck said.

Patriotic hymns and more will stream out of the store beginning at 5:30 and then on every half hour. Shuck will play for about 10 minutes each time.

Jim and Sylvi Caporale, owners of American Flags & Poles, will host the 42nd annual Band Organ Rally in August in conjunction with First Fridays. The event will begin on Thursday with a Music in the Park performance.

“We will have organ grinders playing the hand-operated organs and also people bringing band organs, which made the music for carousels,” explained Jim Caporale. “We will also have calliopes, monkey organs and music boxes … just a whole representation.”

Families may certainly enjoy all the events around town on Friday but probably none more than s’mores and bonfires on the Ohio River levee. The event, sponsored by Fairfield Inn and Suites, will be held as a way to raise awareness of all the outdoor camping opportunities in the county.

“It’s just a family-friendly way to again highlight outdoor recreation,” Knowlton said. “There will be representatives from the Wayne National Forest and the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge and there will be lots to do and lots of information.”

If you go

¯ What: Tourism showcase.

¯ Where: Armory Lawn and the Ohio River levee.

¯ Who: Scott’s Super Adventures, a disc golf course with Broughton Nature & Wildlife, Safe Archery with Pasky’s Sports & More, Washington County Historical Society, Children’s Toy and Doll Museum and the Peoples Bank Theatre. Located at the Ohio River levee will be tables set up by the U.S. Forest Service-Wayne National Forest and the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

¯ When: Friday; the showcase will run from 5 to 9 p.m. at both locations.

¯ What: Bonfire and S’mores on the Ohio River levee.

¯ When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.

¯ Where: The Ohio River levee.

¯ Who: The Fairfield Inn and Suites of Marietta will be sponsoring s’mores on the levee. Four fire pits will be set up at the Ohio River levee with free s’mores packets to complete the bonfire. Children must be supervised by an adult.

Also on the schedule

¯ First Friday Downtown Bicycle Parade.

¯ Five year anniversary of Dad’s Primitive Workbench.

¯ Enchanted Forest Art Show at Riverside Artists.

¯ Celebrate Spring & Create a Paper, Peddler of Dreams.

¯ Humane Society of the Ohio Valley at Green Acres.

¯ Tours, tortillas and tequila at Peoples Bank Theatre.

¯ Kids’ Night Out at First Baptist Church.

¯ First Fridays Kids Only Archery Tag at Betsey Mills.

Source: mariettamainstreet.org

First Fridays themes

¯ May: Ohio’s First Adventure.

¯ June: Downtown Mini Golf.

¯ July: Art Walk.

¯ August: 42nd annual Band Organ Rally.

¯ September: Bring Forth the Pioneer.

¯ October: Marietta Tiger Homecoming.

¯ November: Marie Antoinette Festival.

¯ December: Hometown Holidays.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today