PHOTO PROVIDED One of the bald eagles, this one designed by City Planner Abbey Roberts, is pictured during an event on Main Street. The bald eagle can be found in the Church Street Parking Lot area.

LOCK HAVEN — Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., with the support of its manager, board of directors and membership, is looking to continue to accomplish its mission of marketing the city’s central business district through beautification projects, local events and promotions.

Through the non-profit, business owners, merchants, community volunteers and elected officials from the city and Clinton County government work to promote and preserve the economic viability and historic value of Lock Haven.

Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., through the day-to-day oversight of Manager Rick Schulze, continues to follow a proven path for community development and revitalization by implementing principles of the National Main Street Program, which includes: Organizational development; community design; community promotion and economic restructuring.

DLH’s Board of Directors, through its regular meetings along with four committees — Promotions, Design, Executive and Economic Vitality — aim to build upon successes.

With downtown’s walkability, safe neighborhoods and a small town charm, DLH looks to ensure this area remains a place where people and visitors from all over can come together.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Pictures are seen from Best of Clinton County, an annual event put on by Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., which will take place on Saturday, June 13, this year.

Located near the major intersections of Interstates 80, 99 and state Route 220 in the heart of Pennsylvania, Downtown Lock Haven is a Haven for:

— Commonwealth University-Lock Haven. DLH continues to showcase what students and families can enjoy while in the area by attending Accepted Student Days, fairs and other events on campus.

— Outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Downtown Lock Haven is the ideal location as a gateway to year-round outdoor and recreational opportunities offered by Central Pennsylvania’s vast forestlands – starting with Sproul and Tiadaghton State Forests, the scenic and wild West Branch of the Susquehanna River and its main tributaries, Bald Eagle, Fishing and Pine Creeks.

— Artists and Art Enthusiasts. Though already rich in historic architecture and heritage, downtown Lock Haven — thanks to initiatives by the City of Lock Haven — has seen multiple new murals take shape throughout the central business district. This includes the most recent installations, one that welcomes motorists on Lindsey Place and another near the Lock Haven Post Office near Jordans Alley. These murals are part of a broader initiative by the city to create an active arts corridor.

— And families. Offering a wide array of retail, service and dining establishments and a full calendar of activities, Downtown Lock Haven provides a safe, inviting environment for families to live, work, shop and play.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Pictures are seen from Best of Clinton County, an annual event put on by Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., which will take place on Saturday, June 13, this year.

EVENTS

DLH offers a variety of staple events each year including:

Best of Clinton County

Best of Clinton County is a festival and parade which showcases a wide range of vendors, features live music and gives visitors from near and far an opportunity to see what makes this county great.

This year, BOCC will be held a week earlier on Saturday, June 13, to coincide with the 40th Annual Sentimental Journey Fly-In. The event sees the closure of East Main Street from Jay to Mill Street and allows dozens of vendors to set up shop in the parking stalls.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Santa and Mrs. Claus are staple visitors during Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.’s Small Business Saturdays.

Local businesses also have the opportunity to bring their products outside. With increased foot traffic, it can also be a draw for those who haven’t had the opportunity to check out some of the locally owned brick and mortar locations.

This year, Beyond the Bell — a new non-profit that looks to support kids who would like to take part in extracurricular activities — will host a Kid Zone in the East Main Street parking lot.

The event runs from 10 a.m. until the parade, which takes place around 3 p.m. and sees floats, walkers, performers, cars and more make their way from Henderson Street to Triangle Park.

Be sure to mark your calendars, and visit www.lockhaven.org to keep up-to-date with all things Best of Clinton County.

Interested vendors may still contact Schulze at dlhmanager@lockhaven.org to secure a vendor spot.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. is continuing its efforts to place murals featuring local historic buildings and people, on electrical boxes that were put in place during street light replacements in the city. Pictured is one of the first murals placed at the intersection of Jay and Main streets.

Final Friday Street Closures

Though in the early stages, DLH is working to prepare its annual street closures, that typically take place the last Friday of each month beginning in May.

The first street closure is expected to take place on May 29 and will see East Main Street closed to traffic from Jay to Vesper Street. DLH is currently planning to set its theme as a celebration of America’s 250th Birthday.

Local restaurants will get the chance to offer outdoor dining and DLH will showcase at least one live band for shoppers and restaurant goers’ enjoyment.

Stay tuned for more information about other upcoming street closures by checking out DLH’s website or visiting their Facebook page, Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.

Haven Holidays

Though not quite here yet, DLH will hold its annual Haven Holidays kick off event, featuring a parade, on Saturday, Nov. 28.

The event serves as the kick off for the non-profit’s annual Small Business Saturdays. Residents are encouraged to shop small for the holiday season (and year-round).

BEAUTIFICATION

PROJECTS

As part of its mission, Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. looks to find new ways to help beautify and enhance the visual appeal of the Central Business District.

It currently partners with the city to offer Facade Grant funding each year to area businesses who would like to update its exteriors. The program has taken place for multiple years and seen a variety of storefronts rehabilitated. The current program’s deadline has passed, but be sure to keep an eye out for announcements regarding future opportunities.

DLH also has staple decorations it utilizes each year, including the placement of planters on the meters along East Main Street. These planters are swapped out seasonally and include greenery in the winter, flowers in the spring and summer and Mums in the fall.

The non-profit also hangs garland on light poles during the holiday season and works with volunteers to host clean ups when able.

A new initiative for the non-profit to draw tourism is its Bald Eagle Project. Spearheaded by a previous manager, the project involves the creation of unique Bald Eagle statues which are placed throughout the Central Business District. DLH hopes to install 12 of these statues over time — to mirror the 12 original townships.

It also is continuing its electrical box project, which sees electrical boxes near newly installed traffic signals covered in historical imagery that reflects the uniqueness of the area.

BECOME A MEMBER/

SPONSOR

Interested in supporting Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.’s mission? Become a member!

Your membership supports Downtown Lock Haven by bringing a new spark of vitality to our city including downtown events and parades, completing beautification projects, promoting the unique business district of downtown and encouraging new businesses to invest in our city.

Businesses owners may become a business sponsor for $125 annually and individuals can become a Friend of Downtown by paying a $25 fee annually. All proceeds are put towards ensuring DLH can further its mission.

Recently, Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. has also begun offering sponsorships for larger corporations or donors who would like to ensure the non-profit can continue to provide its annual events, make improvements and promote the central business district.

These sponsorships help fund large-scale projects throughout the year.

To learn more about how to become a member or sponsor, visit www.lockhaven.org/support-us/

HOW TO

VOLUNTEER

Unable to donate monetarily? That’s okay! Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. is always looking for volunteers to help with events, assist our manager in the office, help promote downtown and more.

DLH truly values volunteers and can’t make Downtown Lock Haven the place it is without you.

If you are interested in lending an hour or two of your time to help continue making Downtown Lock Haven a joyous place, fill out a volunteer form by visiting www.lockhaven.org/support-us or calling the office at 570-748-1567 or email Schulz at dlhmanager@lockhaven.org.