YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – This month’s First Friday event will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society with live music, food trucks, walking tours, exhibits and vendors markets.

It will take place from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in buildings and outdoors in the area of West Federal Street and Vindicator Square, downtown.

The event is sponsored by Youngstown CityScape and the Downtown Youngstown Partnership, with the MVHS. To learn more, go to FirstFridaysYoungstown.org. Admission is free.

“First Fridays are about bringing people together to celebrate what makes Youngstown special,” said Adam Lee, program director of Youngstown CityScape. 

Parking will be available at the Tyler History Center and additional downtown lots. West Federal Street will be closed to through-traffic and parking.

The MVHS will wrap up its yearlong 150th anniversary celebration with an open house at the Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St. It will feature anniversary displays and exhibits, including a 1940s Youngstown water department truck, a 1953 firetruck, a new Western Reserve Transit Authority electric bus and a 1905 Mahoning Touring automobile.

Musical performances will take place on the main stage on Federal Street, with Kari Ann Rutushin from 4-5:45 p.m. and Seasons of Swing from 6:15-8 p.m.

A bar will offer beer, wine and signature cocktails, served by celebrity bartenders.

Guided walking tours of the Spring Commons area will depart the Tyler lobby at 4:30, 5, 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m.

A passport challenge will be part of the evening. Guests can get their passport stamped at featured locations and redeem it for a Good Humor bar. Completed passports will be entered into a drawing for a prize basket from Sweet Memories Vintage Tees. The passports also double as collectible fans.

Additional highlights of First Friday include:

  • Youngstown Business Incubator open house with interactive displays and refreshments.
  • WRTA open house and bus display with transit planning exhibit.
  • John R. Davis Building, 217 W. Federal St., art show and live painting by Daniel Rauschenbach in Concept Studio and an open house on the second floor to showcase the adaptable space.
  • Strollo Architects, 201 W. Federal St., open house with an architectural exhibit of downtown Youngstown projects.
  • Vendor market along West Federal Street in front of the YBI building.
  • Sweet Memories Vintage Tees will launch three designs outside the Tyler History Center. Proceeds will benefit Akron Children’s Hospital. Linda Barton, founder of Sweet Memories, has revived Golden Age Beverage, an old Youngstown company, and is offering two new designs to celebrate the launch.