First Fridays: Past, Present & Future
Celebrating 150 Years of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society
📅 Friday, September 5, 2025
🕓 4:00–8:00 PM
📍 West Federal Street, Vindicator Square & Surrounding Locations, Downtown Youngstown
A Night Where History Meets the Future
Downtown Youngstown will be buzzing with energy as we celebrate 150 years of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society (MVHS). This milestone event will take you on a journey through our rich past, dynamic present, and inspired future—all in one unforgettable evening.
Enjoy live music, local storytelling, walking tours, historic displays, open houses, vendor markets, and community pop-ups—all set against the backdrop of our vibrant downtown.
Main Stage Performances – Federal Street
🎶 4:00–5:45 PM – Kari Ann Rutushian
🎶 6:15–8:00 PM – Seasons of Swing
🍹 Downtown Youngstown (DYP) Full-service bar with beer, wine, and signature cocktails made with local mixers from Golden Age Beverage — plus celebrity guest bartenders throughout the night.
At the Heart of the Celebration – MVHS Tyler History Center
🏛 Open House & Local History Fair – First-floor exhibits, outdoor seating, and special anniversary displays.
🚶 Spring Commons Guided Walking Tours (20–25 people per group)
Sign up in the Tyler lobby – no pre-registration required
Tour Times: 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM
Tour Route:
Tyler History Center → Spring Common → Firefighters Memorial Bridge → Oak Hill Ave → Marshall Street Bridge → Vindicator Square → Federal Street (drop-off at YBI)
Special Anniversary Exhibits
🛻 1940s Ford Youngstown Water Dept. Truck
🚒 1953 American LaFrance Fire Truck
🚌 New WRTA Electric Bus
🚗 Beloved MVHS Model T (in the lobby)
Interactive Passport Challenge
Collect stamps at featured locations → Redeem at MVHS for a FREE Good Humor Bar (while supplies last)
📦 Completed passports also enter you to win a prize basket from Sweet Memories Vintage Tees.
💡 Bonus: Your passport doubles as a collectible fan!
Additional Event Highlights
Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI): YBI will host an open house during First Fridays, inviting the community to explore our Main Building, enjoy light refreshments, and learn about our programs and campus. Visitors can meet our team, see interactive displays, and discover how YBI supports entrepreneurs and drives innovation in the Mahoning Valley.
WRTA Open House: Federal Street bus display and transit planning exhibit
John R. David Building:
Concept Studio- First Floor: Concept Studio will feature an art show and live painting session by local artist Daniel Rauschenbauch, highlighting his paintings of downtown Youngstown buildings. Additionally, they will be displaying posters of their John R Davis building from 1899 to the current day, the many businesses it has housed, and the renovations it went through in 2007.
DT-1 Enterprises- Second Floor: Open house featuring their versatile flex space that can be perfectly adapted for various uses, including events, photography sessions, or pop-up shops.
Strollo Architects: Strollo Architects has been in Youngstown for nearly 70 years and continues to support all Downtown development. They are proud to be participating with an Architectural Exhibit displaying the history of their Downtown Youngstown buildings; including: renovations and additions to Youngstown State University, the renovation of the Wells Building, and renovations and additions to St Elizabeth's Hospital.
First Fridays Vendor Market: Along West Federal- Featuring First Fridays makers and community partners
Inspiring Minds Vendor Market: Along West Federal in front of YBI- Featuring Youth Scholar Vendors.
Food Trucks: A curated lineup of culinary offerings with a cultural focus
🎉 Join us for an evening that honors Youngstown’s legacy, celebrates its thriving downtown, and looks boldly toward the future.
✨ 150 years of history. One unforgettable night.
🚗🚙Public Parking in Close Proximity (See Map for details)(Please note West Federal will be closed and unavailable to through traffic and parking)
♿ 🧑🦯 🚐 ADA Drop Off- Tyler History Center West Parking Lot
Tyler History Center (both sides of building)
Vindicator Parking Lot
Additional Public Parking available throughout the city of Youngstown.
www.firstfridaysyoungstown.org
Presented by:
Downtown Youngstown Partnership
Youngstown CityScape
Supported by:
Explore Mahoning
Steelite International
KO Consulting
In Partnership with:
City of Youngstown
Mahoning Valley Historical Society
Youngstown Business Incubator
Strollo Architects
DT-1 Enterprises
Concept Studio
WRTA
Economic Action Group
WesBanco
Also check out other Music events in Youngstown, Entertainment events in Youngstown.
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