Weekend Entertainment | All Eyes on Downtown Youngstown
The razing of Realty Tower has become a morbid attraction in downtown Youngstown.
A crew has been bashing away at the 12-story building with a wrecking ball, stripping it down to its steel-beam skeleton.
Workers are then sent up in a metal basket dangling from a crane to cut away the beams with a torch. A spray of hot sparks marks their progress.
The rarest and most fleeting moment comes when the cut is complete, and a 10-foot segment of a steel beam falls roughly 200 feet to the ground.
The area surrounding the building draws onlookers every day, their eyes aimed skyward. Some bring lawn chairs.
It’s a tragic scene, but fascinating, nonetheless.
Fortunately, it’s not the only reason to come downtown this weekend.
The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival begins this evening and runs through Sunday. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m., except for Sunday, when they are noon to 9 p.m.
The festival is at the church grounds on Via Mount Carmel, on the edge of downtown. Parking can be found at numerous lots downtown, and volunteers will take you to the festival in roving golf carts. Expect a lot of good food and entertainment, a basket raffle and more. There is a small admission fee.
Also tonight is Rain, A Tribute to The Beatles, at Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. The act is focusing on the “Sgt. Pepper” and “Magical Mystery Tour” albums this tour.
As an incentive to come downtown, lawn tickets can be had for just $15 by showing a receipt from a downtown business at the box office when purchasing. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Summer Festival of the Arts also returns this weekend at Wean Park. Admission is free, and there is plenty of free parking in the adjacent Covelli Centre lot. The festival is Saturday and Sunday. To learn more, click HERE.
In the Shenango Valley, the first of two Waterfire festivals (the other is in September) will take place Saturday in downtown Sharon. For information, click HERE.
On Sunday, vocalist Arielle Green-Hall will perform at the Jazz in the Park concert series in Wick Park, just north of downtown. The concert runs from 3 to 7 p.m., and admission is free.
For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.
Pictured at top: Shoppers check out some handmade jewelry at last year’s Summer Festival of the Arts.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
