Marietta Main Street’s First Friday: Peep Show
From left, Flora Brown, 6, and Juniper Brown, 3, stop by the Artsbridge stand while selling Girl Scout cookies during the First Friday: Peep Show event in 2022. (File Photo)
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Peep sculpture at the United Way stand during the First Friday Peep Show event in 2022. (File Photo)
From left, Flora Brown, 6, and Juniper Brown, 3, stop by the Artsbridge stand while selling Girl Scout cookies during the First Friday: Peep Show event in 2022. (File Photo)
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Peep sculpture at the United Way stand during the First Friday Peep Show event in 2022. (File Photo)
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This week is First Friday in downtown Marietta, and the popular Peep Show, sponsored by Par Mar, is making another appearance.
The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and many businesses will be open late to join the fun and welcome visitors. Participating businesses will feature sculptures or dioramas using that perennial favorite, the marshmallow Peep. The colorful candy confection lends itself well to being manipulated, glued, cut and even painted. In recent years, creating sculptures and art with the various peeps available during the spring season has become a popular trend.
At Wit & Whimzy, the sculpture will be used to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity of the MOV, and donations will be accepted throughout the month. Owner Laura Pytlik has participated each year and is planning another large sculpture. "It's fun to be creative and build a sculpture in my window that will make people smile, and I'm happy to raise funds for a worthy organization like Habitat for Humanity." Marietta Makery is also raising funds for charity, and a portion of every sale will be donated to the Gospel Food Mission. In addition, every purchase over $20 will be entered to win a $50 gift card. American Flags and Poles has partnered with the Salvation Army for its sculpture, and all bunny yard art will be 50% off. Laura Wilcoxen will be on site with her beautiful hand made quilts for sale.
Threadz Boutique will feature Peep art, and every purchase over $25 will be entered to win a prize. Table Puzzles and Games will have a fun Peep sculpture, and they will be hosting a local artist who makes Scrubby Bubbys. Owner Penny Moore is excited about the event "We always look forward to having all the local and out of town gamers stop in to talk about their favorite new or vintage board games."
Other Peep sculptures or dioramas will be located at MOVE, Jeremiah's Coffee House, Andy's Toy Chest, The Original Pizza Place, the Lafayette Hotel, and on the Armory lawn. The Lafayette will be hosting Levi and Hannah Westfall for an evening of live music.
On the Armory lawn they will have Par Mar stores, Artsbridge, and the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley. The Historic Harmar Bridge Company will be on the Armory lawn showing two variations of the potential look of the new Harmar Bridge. They will also be selling raffle tickets for a truck and other prizes to be given away at the Harmar Days Festival.
Sugar Maple Boutique will offer 15% off regular priced items, 40% off designer jeans, and 60% off clearance. Each purchase will also be entered to win a gift card. At Tiber Way Grille, the drink special will be a Blue Fluff Peep drink. The Galley will be featuring an Easter themed drink named "The Cottontail Cocktail" and The Adelphia will have live music by Sadsquatch, The Wearing Hands, and Becker.
Other downtown businesses will be offering special sales and promotions, and the community is invited to spend the evening dining and shopping downtown.
Marietta Main Street is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to downtown revitalization using community and economic development and historic preservation strategies. Featured events and programs include First Fridays, Build Up Marietta building and business improvement grant program, downtown beautification, public art, Main Street West, small business support, Hometown Holidays, and more.
Learn more at www.mariettamainstreet.org