The Friends of New Concord (FONC) will host the 4th annual New Concord Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 5, bringing together residents, local businesses, families, and the Muskingum University community for a full day of activities in downtown New Concord.
Community Day was created to strengthen the connection between the Village of New Concord and the Muskingum University campus community. All events throughout the day include free admission, and there is no cost to participate in any of the games or activities, thanks to the generosity of event sponsors.
The day begins at 9 a.m. with a one-mile Fun Run starting at New Concord Elementary School.
Vendor Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Genesis Primary Care parking lot. Local artisans will offer a variety of handmade and locally made products, including cookies, clothing, jewelry, soaps, home décor, and more.
Kids’ Fun will also take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the corner of Layton Drive and Maple Avenue. Activities will include crafts, a sandbox, a petting farm, putt-putt golf, and other family-friendly fun for all ages. A Touch a Truck event featuring local vehicles will be held behind Village Hall from noon to 1 p.m.
Beginning at 10 a.m., New Concord businesses offering goods or services of interest to college students will open their doors to Muskingum University students participating in the Community Day Shop Walk. The Shop Walk provides students an opportunity to become more familiar with the Village while giving local businesses a chance to introduce themselves and their services to the campus community.
Food trucks will be serving from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. along Main Street and in the Village Hall parking lot. Food and treats will be available from The Hibachi Hut, What the Fizz, Smokin Chippers, Flying Naked Pig, Daily Double, and the Easy Squeeze Lemonade Stand.
The Party in the Park will begin at 3 p.m. at New Concord War Memorial Park and continue until 9 p.m. The evening will feature live music from Late Light, a band featuring Muskingum University professors, followed by Spelchek, performing rock favorites from the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s.
Activities during the Party in the Park will include a rock-climbing wall, axe throwing, trampolines, a cornhole tournament, and other yard games. For adults with valid identification, Guernsey Brewhouse beer and wine from local vineyards will be available for purchase in a designated beer garden.
“It has been so exciting to see the growth of Community Day over the past four years,” said Kristin Centa, president of Friends of New Concord. “It is a great day to bring the University and the community together.”
Friends of New Concord is a nonprofit organization committed to the beautification of New Concord and to promoting social and economic development throughout the Village. The organization works with local businesses, organizations, and individuals to help make New Concord a welcoming and vibrant community. Friends of New Concord can be found on Facebook.
Photo: Spelchek, a 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s Dad band, performs at New Concord’s Community Day. | Submitted Photo
