By Haylee Pence

[email protected]

MIAMI COUNTY – Local organizations are gearing up for summer events to promote their downtowns.

Mainstreet Piqua is an organization dedicated to improving and enhancing downtown Piqua for the residents in the community through promotion of economic development.

Mainstreet Piqua hosts many community events including Taste of the Arts, Christmas on the Green, and Downtown Piqua Holiday Parade, among many others.

Mainstreet Piqua will also be hosting Third Thursdays during the summer on June 15, July 20, and Aug. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. “Third Thursdays are fun, family friendly events that feature live music, food, street activities, and old fashioned fun,” according to the event’s description.

Every Thursday from May 25 through Sep. 28, Mainstreet Piqua hosts the Piqua Community Farmers Market from 3 to 6 p.m. Vendors set up booths to sell products. The farmers market accepts market dollars, SNAP/EBT, WIC, SFMNP, and Produce Perks. For more information about the Piqua Community Farmers Market, visit www.piquafarmersmarket.com.

For a list of events hosted by Mainstreet of Piqua, visit their website at www.mainstreetpiqua.com. For other events within Piqua, visit www.piquacommunitycalendar.com.

Mainstreet Piqua is dedicated to enhancing economic development and supports businesses throughout downtown Piqua. According to Lorna Swisher, director of Mainstreet Piqua, the Mainstreet Piqua website has an interactive map for the downtown area which features local businesses.

The Mainstreet Piqua website at www.mainstreetpiqua.com has many resources on businesses throughout downtown Piqua and recommendations on where to shop and eat. Mainstreet Piqua is located at 326 N. Main St. in Piqua and can be contacted at 937-773-9355.

Troy Main Street is a non-profit organization that promotes the economic revitalization of downtown Troy.

Their vision is for downtown Troy to be the most desirable downtown destination in the Midwest, according to its website at troymainstreet.org. To support their vision, Troy Main Street promotes economic development, planned historic preservation, continued enhancements, and a variety of programming to support its downtown.

In June, Troy Main Street’s Sculptures on the Square Opening Celebration kicks off the Sculptures on the Square exhibit around downtown Troy. The celebration is on June 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.

July 7 will feature Family Fun on the Boardwalk, a First Friday event. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Troy. First Fridays feature local non-profit agencies providing information and games.

Fridays on Prouty Concerts will also kick off in the summer, which Troy Main Street partners with the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center to hold. For information on each concert, visit their website at troyhayner.org/fridays-on-prouty.

The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center is supported by the taxpayers of Troy and the donations of the Friends of Hayner. Its mission is to preserve and maintain the Hayner mansion as a cultural resource center for the present and as a historical legacy for the future generations of the community of Troy.

Also in July, Troy Main Street is planning a Plein Air Event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 22 in downtown Troy. Plein Air means “out of doors” in French, and in art, it refers to artists who paint outside landscapes, architecture, etc. Spend your Saturday in downtown Troy shopping, dining, and taking in the work of artists as they paint the scenes of downtown Troy. The day will end with a sale of the completed works of art.

The August First Friday will support the Troy football pep rally starting at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 to help celebrate the beginning of Troy’s football season.

Troy Main Street will also be partnering with organizations during the Tour de Donut to hold the annual Donut Jam concert from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 26. Join Troy Main Street downtown that Friday evening to listen to local bands, sip local beer, and participate in family-friendly activities as they gear up for the Tour De Donut Bicycle Race happening on the following Saturday.

A Back to School Bash will be held for September’s First Friday Event on Sept. 1 starting at 5:30 p.m., and will celebrate students going back to school.

Troy Main Street will also be holding its seventh annual Chocolate Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 2. Downtown stores offer chocolate truffles, cakes, hot cocoa, and more. While many chocolate items are edible, some are chocolate scented while others are chocolate-themed. This is a ticketed event, so watch for announcements from Troy Main Street prior to the event.

Then, October’s First Friday event is Adopt a Shelter Pet Night and will feature adoptable animals from the Miami County Animal Shelter starting at 5:30 p.m.

An Enchanted Wonderland Weekend will be hosted on Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 in downtown Troy. The weekend is to encourage shopping at local businesses along with open houses, food, and activities. The event will be kicked off with November’s First Friday on Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. in dowtown Troy.

With the end of the year, local traditions and family favorites return with Hometown Halloween on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the Grand Illumination scheduled for Nov. 24 starting at 5 p.m.

The final First Friday event of the year is on Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. and shoppers will be entered to win when shopping downtown.

For more information on Troy Main Street and what it has to offer, visit troymainstreet.org.

Troy Main Street is located 405 Public Sq., No. 231, Troy, and can be contacted at 937-339-5455.

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership is a local group of interested business owners, government officials, and residents is dedicated to preserving and promoting Tipp City and its historic downtown shopping district, according to its website at www.downtowntippcity.org.

Downtown Tipp City Partnership and Duck Duck Jeep Ohio are working together to sponsor a Jeep Cruise-In on June 9 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership’s Vintage in the Village will be held June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown Tipp City will come alive with shopping for vintage, antique and artisan treasures, along with a wide array of food trucks and activities. Visit vendors both inside and outside.

Additional upcoming events include Family Game Night on July 7 starting at 5 p.m., Putt Putt through the downtown on 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 4, and an Art Walk on Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. the Tipp City Mum Festival on Sept. 23-24 at City Park. The Mum Festival Parade will be held on Sept. 23. Visitors to the festival in the park will find over 250 booths with arts and crafts, treats, and a wide variety of merchants. They will also have a large stage providing entertainment by the local talent. Visit tippmumfestival.org for more information.

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership is located at 6 S. Third St. in Tipp City and can be contacted at 937-667-0883.