Lock Haven’s Pedestrian Mall Opens for the summer season

First, the bad news: If you try to drive down Main Street in Lock Haven on weekends over the summer, you’ll have to take a short detour because the street will be blocked off. The good news, however, is that if you get out and walk down the street, you’ll be treated to a great time with food, music, sidewalk sales, and enjoyable conversation. 

Lock Haven’s annual pedestrian mall is now in its second year, closing off Main Street between Jay and Vesper, and inviting merchants and restaurants to move outside. Tables are set up for people to sit and eat, and pedestrians are invited to participate. I’m a big fan of the pedestrian mall, personally. The first day it was open, my family and I went down and got some meals from one of the many excellent restaurants involved, and we sat at a table in the street and had a nice time eating outdoors.

“With the pandemic last year, the City saw the need to expand capacity for the restaurants and merchants safely,” comments Marie Vilello, manager of Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. “The easiest way to do that was to close the streets and let them come outside.”

Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., is a local organization that promotes Lock Haven’s local businesses and groups. Based in an office at 205 East Main Street–the heart of the pedestrian mall–the organization is responsible for many events throughout the year.

Lock Haven’s city government began the pedestrian mall last year, making an impressive attempt at finding ways to promote tourism during a nationwide pandemic. Now, Downtown Lock Haven has taken over the project for the summer of 2021. Social distancing has been stressed with tables set apart and signs reminding people to keep six feet away from one another, even outdoors. With the vaccine effort in full swing, the pedestrian mall promises to be even better this year than last.

“While the city started it last year, Downtown Lock Haven took it over this year,” Vilello says with some justifiable pride. “There will be music on the streets some of the Saturdays.”

Main Street will be closed at 3 PM on Fridays, and remain closed until 10 PM on Saturdays. At least once per month, a band will appear either on the stage at Grove Street, or the floating stage in the river. The bands will include the Lindy Sisters, Bellefonte Community Band, The Sultans, and others.

On Saturdays, Market Village On Main will run from 9 AM to noon throughout the summer. This farmers’ market on the street will have a variety of vendors. The pedestrian mall is planned to last until the end of September, weather permitting. The final pedestrian mall is scheduled for September 25th.

For further information or a schedule, Downtown Lock Haven Inc. can be reached at 570-748-1576 or dlhmanager@lockhaven.org. To view the schedule or other events, check out the website at www.lockhaven.org. The pedestrian mall promises to be an enjoyable time, so I hope to see you down there.