YOUNGSTOWN Work delayed, CityFest to go on

This year's CityFest will be different from other years in a few ways.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Federal Plaza wasn't supposed to be intact this summer, but since the pedestrian mall remains, so will CityFest.
The downtown summer festival will be Aug. 21-23 despite the decision to organize it coming just three weeks ago.
The plaza was supposed to be torn up this summer to reopen the street to traffic, so CityFest was dropped. It had been revived in 2001 after a few years' hiatus. Also, the city's Federal Plaza director took a buyout a year ago before layoffs were made, so there was nobody to organize a festival.
Another in a long string of snags recently pushed the Federal Street project start into next year, however.
Made the decision
City officials gathered three weeks ago and decided that they could pull off the event in just six weeks.
Volunteers and vendors were asking if there would be an event, said Arlene Thompson, the city clerk, who is in charge of the event. The police, fire, streets and parks departments figured they could be ready, she said.
"It seemed like we could work as a team and get something going," she said. "We're not thinking we can't. We've got to think positively."
The biggest worry isn't time, but weather, considering the soggy summer to date, Thompson said.
The festival is as important for redevelopment reasons as it is for entertainment, said David Simon of Cedar's Cafe. The city needs to have the event and others whenever it can to showcase downtown, he said. Simon is a prime mover behind the recently approved downtown entertainment district.
"We have to make things happen or it's not going to happen," he said.
CityFest is important because the city must continue drawing people downtown, said Alan Drennen, regional manager for Buffalo Wild Wings. The festival and other events on the plaza need to continue as long as the pedestrian mall remains, he said.
"We love it down here. We want other people to love it, too," Drennen said.
How it will differ
This year's CityFest will be different from past editions in a few ways, Thompson said. The city is seeking vendors who sell art, clothing, crafts, collectibles and gift items. The city will limit the types of food vendors to one of each item. Competition among vendors -- such as two lemonade stands -- has cut into past profits, Thompson said.
Also new, downtown restaurants will have spots outside their shops where they can offer their specialties.
"We want to extend good will to these 'vendors' who are down here all year long," she said.
Carnival rides will be cut back to just a handful, for small children. Music continues dominating the festival and is expected to expand from one to two stages. Plus, two restaurants along the Mahoning River, the B & amp;O Station and Anthony's on the River, will be part of CityFest entertainment this year, Thompson said.
rgsmith@vindy.com
XCall the city's volunteer coordinator at (330) 788-1161 or the clerk's office at (330) 742-8789 for more information.