SHARON, Pa. – Downtown Sharon will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary July 25 with a day of shopping, entertainment and historical activities.
The community-wide event will feature a farmers market, downtown flash sales, live music, art demonstrations, historic walking tours and a weeklong scavenger hunt designed to highlight local businesses and the city’s history.
Activities begin with the farmers market from 8 a.m. to noon at Quaker Steak & Lube. Participating downtown businesses will host flash sales and special promotions from 10 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Shoppers also can participate in a passport giveaway at participating retailers.
Musicians and local artists will perform and create artwork throughout downtown during the event.
The Sharon Historical Society and Sharon Community Development Corp. also will introduce “Retail Ramble” walking tours, led by local historian Taylor Galaska, president of the Sharon Historical Society and author of “Lost Department Stores of Sharon, Pennsylvania.” The tours, scheduled for 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., will explore the businesses and history that helped shape downtown Sharon. Tickets are $10, and advance reservations are recommended by calling 724-301-7942. Tours will begin at 98 E. State St.
A Star Scavenger Hunt will run throughout the week leading up to the event. Participants can search for hidden stars and scan QR codes at participating businesses and community landmarks for a chance to win one of five $100 Sharon Community gift cards.
“Every storefront downtown represents someone’s American Dream, a business owner who took a chance on Sharon and themselves,” said Evan Gruver, Main Street manager for the Sharon Community Development Corp. “This day is really an invitation to come explore those stories for yourself. Walk the same streets that have shaped this city for generations, meet the people behind these businesses, and hopefully leave with a new favorite spot and a memory or two along the way.”
The event is free and open to the public, except for the walking tours.