Wilkes-Barre City planning end-of-summer celebration
Nicholas Sohr, Staff Writer
Published: June 23, 2009

The City of Wilkes-Barre is planning an end-of-summer celebration to welcome back students at local colleges and bring local families downtown.
City Administrative Coordinator Bridget Giunta said the details are still being hammered out, but the city has tentatively settled on the last weekend in August for the event to be held on Public Square.
"We wanted to do something to bring the community together and make sure there are components for the families and the students, too," Giunta said.
She said the city would welcome the support of local community-minded organizations and local businesses to join the festivities alongside the musical lineup, children's activities and other offerings.
Many city officials and community leaders see the colleges and their student populations as a key component of reinvigorating the downtown business and entertainment district, an effort that has focused in part on encouraging residential growth and foot traffic after 5 p.m.
The city's annual event for students - "Party on the Square" - is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16.
"Now we have two great opportunities for students to come downtown, events to introduce, or reintroduce them to downtown," Giunta said.