Downtown New Kensington businesses hope to capitalize on an unofficial holiday next month to support and grow businesses in the city.
The New Ken Downtown Partnership will host a Galentine’s Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 7 along Fifth Avenue.
A play on Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day is an unofficial holiday made popular from the TV show “Parks and Rec” that aims to honor and celebrate close friendships, especially between women.
About 20 businesses are participating, said organizer Michelle Thom. Participating businesses will host different events, some of which will be free and others with a small cost or reservations required.
“We wanted to do something in February, when there’s not many events,” Thom said. “Since the weather is cold, we wanted to plan something that kept people inside.
“What cooler event to get your friends together, and plan a day to go to these different places and have different experiences? It will be like going to a festival.”
Among the activities will be a wine glass painting, cocktail class and other vendors at Voodoo Brewing; game demonstrations and miniature figurine paintings at The Feisty Goblin; a girls’ tablescape demonstration at Trovo Co.; candy jar making at Lucky Duck Candy Co.; classes at Rhythm Ridez spin studio; and other crafts at the New Ken Arts Center, Saging Space, The Bag Lady and Yinzpired, to name a few, Thom said.
“We hope to bring in a few hundred people and have them experience New Ken, and what we have to offer,” Thom said. “Part of the goal is to meet the person behind the business and interact with them for an extended period of time.”
Thom said more information and updates on the event can be found on the Olde Towne Overhaul or the New Ken Downtown Partnership’s Facebook pages.
Thom is hopeful that the new year can bring continued improvements to downtown New Kensington. Over the past five years, dozens of storefronts downtown have been flipped and have brought new businesses downtown.
A monthly summer Fridays on Fifth food truck event draws hundreds into downtown.
She said more businesses and events are planned for this year.
“We want to keep solidifying New Ken is a great place to come visit and shop,” Thom said.
