Latest news with #ErieDowntownPartnership
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After rowdy youth disrupt Movie Mondays, Erie Downtown Partnership cancels remaining films
The Erie Downtown Partnership has canceled its weekly Movie Mondays in Perry Square in the wake of two large disturbances at the event in June and July involving large groups of local youth. Calling the move a 'difficult decision,' the Downtown Partnership on July 26 announced the cancellation of the three remaining Movie Mondays dates on its Facebook page. The free event, which features family-friendly movies, takes place in Perry Square. 'Despite great efforts to increase security, the events have become an attraction for escalating disruptive and dangerous behavior and cancelling the series seems to be our only path forward to ensure Downtown and Perry Square remain safe for everyone,' the Facebook post states. 'Though we explored a change in location and/or operations with several different partners, no such changes were feasible within our downtown district this late in the season.' The Downtown Partnership also thanked its event sponsors and partners. The nonprofit's Facebook post had been viewed more than 1,100 times and had been shared more than 300 times as of July 28. The event features family-friendly movies cancellations include scheduled showings of 'Muppet Treasure Island' on July 28, 'The Avengers' on Aug. 11 and 'Wicked' on Aug. 25. What prompted this decision? The first incident at Movie Mondays took place June 16, during a screening of 'The Incredibles.' Children and adults had gathered in the west side of the downtown Erie park to watch the film when, according to Erie police, a crowd of up to 150 juveniles showed up. Police said members of the group were running around, standing in the roadway and blocking traffic, and being loud and disruptive. Officers were called to the area and ushered the group to the east park at Perry Square, where they eventually dispersed, police said. Roughly 30 minutes later, a large group returned and another disturbance broke out, including a few fights, police said. The movie ended about 10 minutes early and one person was charged with disorderly conduct, police said. Another disturbance involving a large group of 'rowdy' youths broke out at Perry Square and created disruptions during the Movie Mondays screening of 'Moana'on July 14, Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny said. Police knew about the cancellation of the remaining Movie Mondays before the Downtown Partnership announced it publicly, Spizarny said. 'We stayed in regular contact with (the Downtown Partnership) about this since the first disturbance,' Spizarny said. 'We tried some different things, like extra officers and they had private security. But the amount of kids coming down and disrupting the event was just unmanageable, unfortunately.' Spizarny said large groups of youths 'showed up unescorted and they were not there for the movie. They would run around chasing each other and next thing you know someone would be in a fight. Then multiple fights would break out.' 'Complex issues' Following the June 16 Movie Mondays disturbance, the Downtown Partnership posted on Facebook that the incident was 'in direct conflict with the organization's mission of creating a safe, fun and welcoming downtown. 'We recognize that this incident prompts several other concerns: What need is being overlooked among the youth of our community that may result in these actions? What are we lacking in Erie in terms of a safe third space for these teens to gather without incident? How can we collaborate with our community partners to meet that need?' the organization previously stated on Facebook. "These are complex issues, but Erie Downtown Partnership is committed to contributing to a solution that works to address these needs and creates a better downtown experience for all.' Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at@ETNflowers This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Movie Mondays canceled by Erie Downtown Partnership Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
St. Nick's Grove hosts Food ‘N Cruze event
It was a celebration of community and cars in Millcreek Township Tuesday night. Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church is hosting their annual Food 'N Cruze events at St. Nick's Grove. Each one draws about 120-140 vehicles and at least 400 people. EMTA, Erie Downtown Partnership work together to host annual 14th Fest The church has held Food 'N Cruze every Tuesday in June for the past six years. It supports the church and various charities and continues the original purpose of the property. NAMI to host movie night at UPMC Park this Friday 'Our founders in the '30's bought this grove and used the grove for the community to let them know that we're in the community and to share it with everybody,' said Jim DeHaven, co-chair of Food 'N Cruze. There is no admission fee, but they accept free-will donations. Food 'N Cruze continues the next two Tuesdays. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
EMTA, Erie Downtown Partnership work together to host annual 14th Fest
The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) is kicking off summer in a big way. EMTA will be hosting its fourth annual 14th Fest in collaboration with the Erie Downtown Partnership. NAMI to host movie night at UPMC Park this Friday Music, food trucks, activities and more will take over 14th Street between French and Holland streets on Thursday, June 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. A representative from the E said this event embraces being a part of the downtown district, even though they are located in midcity. Pennsylvania State Police welcome kids for annual Camp Cadet 'Back in 2022, we cut the ribbon on our $72 million joint operations facility here at the EMTA, and our friends at the Erie Downtown Partnership worked with us to hold that event, and we snowballed it into a party afterwards to celebrate. And that was our first inaugural 14th Fest. Year after year, we've been using this as a way to invite people down to 14th Street,' said Sarah Morrison, director of marketing and public relations for the EMTA. The festival is a free event, and Morrison recommends bringing your own chair. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Downtown Erie set to host summer full of fun events, get the list here
Downtown Erie is gearing up for an exciting summer of community events. Leaders of the Erie Downtown Partnership and Flagship City District announced a lineup of activities Thursday. National Fuel employees team up with Erie students for Days of Doing They include sunrise yoga sessions and a variety of festivals and celebrations. Among them, the 14th Fest, Juneteenth celebration, and World Refugee Day. The Perry Square Summer Concert Series will feature a pre-party on July 3 before the city's fireworks celebration. Some new events include the first-ever Erie's Masked Singer competition and the Thirsty Thursday concert series. 'Seeds of Hope' event aims to raise awareness on women's health research 'Our Juneteenth celebration is going to be bigger this year. We have music performances, we're gonna have a community meal. Our world refugee celebration is gonna be bigger and better this year,' said Dave Tamulonis, events and marketing manager for the Erie Downtown Partnership. 'Boutique nights is gonna be a great time to get outside, do some shopping, support these local businesses, but most important, get involved with artists and some really creative elements on the street,' said Ryan Hoover, director of events and promotions for the Erie Downtown Development Corporation. For full details including dates and times, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
EMTA, EDP announce plans for 14th Fest 2025
(WJET/WFXP)– The Erie Downtown Partnership and the EMTA are bringing back one of the city's newer summer celebrations to kick off the season. The EDP and EMTA are bringing back 14th Fest as their way of kicking off the summer season in downtown Erie and all it has to offer. Upcoming Rides for the Rise Motor Music Festival aims to raise money for Erie youth The festival is once again free for all members of the community to attend, with festivities running from June 12-14 between French and Holland Streets from 5 to 10 p.m. each night. Festival goers can enjoy food and drinks from local establishments, plenty of kids' activities, and live music from Small Town Revolution at 5:30, followed by The Groove at 8 p.m. Local girl holds fundraiser for St. Jude in hopes of helping kids her age beat cancer 'EMTA is excited to continue 14th Fest for the fourth year in a row,' said EMTA CEO, Jeremy Peterson. 'It has become a tradition and we are honored to bring vibrancy to midcity with local vendors and entertainment as a way to kick off summertime in Erie. This marks the fourth year of 14th Fest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
