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3rd in the Burg is a new Harrisburg-focused take on First Fridays. On the Third Friday of each month, city galleries will be hosting special exhibitions and events throughout Harrisburg. Support the arts, culture and cuisine in our capital city today, July 15th! Click the link below to see today’s schedule of activities in Harrisburg!
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A great deal of activity is going on in our capital city tonight. It’s 3rd in the Burg night (Harrisburg’s version of First Friday) and the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Festival takes place today, Saturday and Sunday, at venues around Harrisburg!
For more information about tonight’ s 3rd in the Burg events:
For more information about tonight’s Jazz Walk and this weekends 31st Annual Central Pennsylvania Jazz Festival events:
http://www.cpfj.org/festival_2011.html
Get out there and enjoy the arts in PA!
Great news from our friends in Harrisburg about eating establishments who are going or have gone green!
Nonna’s Deli Sioso, 263 Reily Street, Harrisburg has installed solar panels on their roof. The solar panels provide 75 percent of the deli’s electricity and make hot water. They use local produce whenever possible. Nonna’s supports the arts by being a 3rd in the Burg participant!
Isaac’s Restaurant & Deli, a chain with locations across Pennsylvania, is building their new locations with recycled materials, using solar tubes for lighting and using more energy efficient HVAC systems.
Neato Burrito, metro Harrisburg locations, is ditching the Styrofoam cups in favor of plant-based cups that are fully compostable. The next improvement will be green utensils.
Mangia Qui, 272 North Street, Harrisburg uses non-toxic paint, green cleaning products and LED light bulbs. They use only hydroponically grown greens and produce. They buy antibiotic and hormone-free chicken and grass-fed beef. Containers are 100 percent biodegradable and the dishwashers are low energy. Solar panels are planned for the roof and the conversion of their heaters to an on-demand hot water system. Mangia Qui supports the arts by being a 3rd in the Burg participant!
If you are ecologically responsible and would like to support businesses who walk to the talk, we encourage you to consider visting these establishments. If you support the Harrisburg Arts Revitalization, two of these restaurants are also working toward that goal by participating in 3rd in the Burg.
To learn more about 3rd in the Burg: http://3rdintheburg.com/
This is an inspiring story about how Lancaster’s success with their First Fridays event has inspired Harrisburg to follow suit. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
Lancaster’s First Fridays event now involves 70 venues! This free event brings thousands into downtown Lancaster! This not only benefits the arts scene but all downtown businesses and restaurants. First Fridays runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every month, without exception! People come from as far away as Philadelphia and Baltimore! Franklin and Marshall College is the presenting sponsor of this event. As a side note, Franklin and Marshall has been instrumental in helping Lancaster with economic development!
While Lancaster has a larger population than Pottstown, it is also a very walkable city of only 7.40 square miles (land area). A year-round monthly event in downtown Pottstown could yield similar results that would benefit our emerging arts community and our downtown stores and restaurants. And maybe attract new ones.
Here is a link to Lancaster’s First Fridays event. Check out this map and list of venues: http://www.lancasterarts.com/_files/live/FirstFriday_Guide_2011_1st_Qtr_LArts.pdf
Some folks in Harrisburg had watched the success of Lancaster’s First Fridays. A year ago, three downtown business owners got together and started 3rd in the Burg. This idea has grown into a monthly event with up to 15 venues participating already! That is great for the first year!
The next 3rd in the Burg takes place on January 21st and will feature art, music and food from downtown to midtown! Nonna’s Delisioso! will feature a 3rd in the Burg dinner special. Nonna’s co-owner, Grace Diaz was quoted as saying, 3rd in the Burg has “introduced people from here and neighboring towns and cities to the revitalization that has taken place in our developing arts community.” Bingo!! What better way to entice people to come take a “look-see” than with the arts, food and music.
Participating businesses are experiencing increased sales and foot traffic at their locations. The event draws many people into downtown Harrisburg who would not ordinarily go there. Having multiple participants increases the public’s enthusiasm, creates a positive “buzz” and creates a snowball effect. The ball started out with three participants, now there are 15. As the momentum builds and the crowds increase, other merchants will take part in making the ball bigger. As shoppers stroll between participating merchants, they will pass other stores and restaurants along the way. I can bet you they will stop in those places as well.
The other part of the snowball effect is the arts community. As this event grows, it will inspire other artists to take part and possibly move to Harrisburg. Thereby increasing Harrisburg’s arts community and growing 3rd in the Burg further.
The desired result of 3rd in the Burg is to make Harrisburg a “destination” for the arts, shopping and dining. I give that two Roy’s Rants thumbs up!
Here is a link to 3rd in the Burg: http://3rdintheburg.com/
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