Third Fridays in Galion, also known as TFIG, return to Uptowne, beginning Friday, June 16.
TFIG presents an opportunity for the Galion community to gather for food and fun, while supporting local merchants.
This year, TFIG events will be held from 5-8 p.m. during the third Friday of each month through September. As has been the case since 2017, the evenings are sponsored by the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC).
TFIG will take place inside the Public Square, on the two north quadrants by the gazebo and Park National Bank. The gazebo itself will serve as the entertainment stage.
There will be four separate concert dates in 2023:
• June 16: AFM 159 Local Concert Band at 5:30 p.m. and Tightrope at 7 p.m.
• July 21: Princess Sing-A-Long at 5:30 p.m. and Marcia Yunker at 6 p.m.
• Aug. 18: Soul jazz band CONNE performs at 6 p.m.
• Sept. 15: Princess Sing-A-Long at 5:30 p.m. and Steve Brown at 6 p.m.
Food trucks will be situated in the parking lot in front of Park National Bank, and community vendors will be lined on North Market Street by the parking lot in front of the gazebo.
In previous years, Uptowne Galion retailers stayed open late, while restaurants offered food and drink specials. Registered vendors also set up in designated spaces located around the square.
For many local stores, the genuine benefit is the recognition and awareness that comes from people seeing them open. The event also lets attendees witness the revitalization efforts in the Uptowne district.
Second Thursday in Crestline (STIC) is also new this year, begins June 8, and continues the second Thursday evening of each month this summer. Music starts at 7 p.m., with food trucks running from 5-9 p.m, north of U.S. Route 30.
“We are thrilled to bring Third Fridays back for another year, and we are very excited to begin offering a similar community event in Crestline, as Second Thursdays help kick off the Ralph Thauvette Memorial Summer Concert Series,” GCACC Executive Director Miranda Jones said. “We would like to thank First Federal Community Bank, Park National Bank, Firelands Federal Credit Union, and First Federal Bank of Ohio for their sponsorship and continued support of our TFIG events, and for helping to launch STIC in Crestline. These events require lot of ‘moving pieces,’ and we cannot thank our community sponsors enough for their investment in our community! We were also fortunate to be the recipients of grant funding this year, which allows us to bring more music and arts-related activities to our residents and our visitors!”
Anyone who is interested in becoming a Third Friday in Galion vendor or sponsor should contact the chamber office at 419-468-7737 or via email [email protected].
A.J. Kaufman is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer.
