Come on downtown and join Marietta Main Street this upcoming Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for First Friday: Reading Rainbow, sponsored by Marietta Moose Lodge #1823.  What a start to the month by celebrating Read Across America Day & Dr. Seuss’s Birthday.  Residents and visitors are encourage to bring their families downtown for some late night shopping, special promotions and in-store specials, and opportunities to bask in the importance of reading.

We couldn’t think of a better way to start off the month of March, which already shines light on the importance of literacy and educating our youth, than having a Reading Rainbow themed First Friday.  Marietta Moose Lodge #1823 will be located at the Armory lawn with several activities for kids, games, giveaways and will also include a booth for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation ID Kit Program.  This program provides parents with an electronic file that contains information for your child, which is available to law enforcement in case of emergencies.  The Venturing Crew will once again be set up on the Armory Lawn serving up s’mores kits for shoppers who want to make their own s’more. The Mid-Ohio Valley Players will also be set up to give away free books to the public. 

“We are excited to sponsor this month’s First Friday because even though we are a private club, we are a positive and active member of the downtown community, and the fact that this First Friday highlights childhood literacy is particularly meaningful to our core mission for the well-being of children and seniors,” said Andrew VonVille, Administrator of the Marietta Moose Lodge #1823.  “Since its inception, the Moose Fraternity has been dedicated to lift up and protect our young people and here in Marietta, we achieve that mission by volunteering at or offering financial support to a number of organizations that share our mission.  The Safe Surfin’ ID Kit Program is another way we can help ensure that children are protected and is just a small fraction of the community service efforts that our Fraternity brings to the community.”

Friday’s festivities will also include Enrich Marietta’s engagement events at both the Marietta Brewing Company and Jeremiah’s Coffee House. Enrich Marietta is a process to create a community-led plan for the future of Downtown Marietta. The Marietta Downtown Plan will be a comprehensive plan of policies and projects to guide revitalization and development within Downtown over the next 5 to 15 years. Join members of the Enrich Marietta steering committee during First Friday at either location to learn more about the process and participate in interactive activities.

“March’s First Friday is focused on celebrating literacy, education and the growth of our youth in our community and is a perfect opportunity to reflect on what we like best and what we need next in order to grow our Downtown community for them,” said Sarah Arnold, Marietta Main Street Board President and member of the Enrich Marietta steering committee. “We invite the entire community to come out this weekend and share their input!”

First Fridays are monthly events that showcase the best of Marietta and allow the community to take advantage of extended shopping hours. In addition to engagement activities and those taking place on the Armory Lawn, the Riverside Artists Gallery is hosting a special Reading Rainbow event with a “Poetry in Art” Poem Choosing Party and artists Jeremy Keller, Mary Ennis, Janet Gustafson and Dave Gustafson. Jeremiah’s Coffee House will also be hosting Lauren Thompson from Usborne Books & More with a Mystery Hostess Party, read-alongs, and activities for the kids.  Wit & Whimzy is hosting a book exchange for kids’ books.  Busy Bee Food Truck will be located at the Armory lawn for some delicious goodies.  There will also be live music at the Marietta Wine Cellars & The Adelphia Music Hall.
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