BY SARAH SCINTO
With public health and safety in mind, Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo said the city will keep its plans fairly “conservative” during the first quarter of the year. That has not stopped Main Street Manager Mary Kroptavich from working on a slate of events to fill the calendar in 2021.
“We are all looking forward to 2021 and the hopes that we can start to put 2020 behind us,” she said. “We were able to sit back and look at all of our city sponsored events and reevaluate them.”
Kroptavich said she plans to “revamp” the Tomato Festival, Columbus Day Parade, Trick or Treat Main Street and the Christmas Parade, all events that were either cancelled or altered in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second Friday Art Walks are also due to return in 2021.
“The Second Friday Art Walks and movies at The Slope Amphitheater are already in the beginning stages,” Kroptavich said. “We will be expanding the artists locations and adding a few additional features and surprises.”
T-Mobile will sponsor the outdoor movies at The Slope in 2021, Kroptavich said, allowing the city to offer viewings of classic films and new releases for free.
“We will be adding free popcorn and a beverage for each person in attendance this year,” she said.
Kroptavich plans to meet with the city’s businesses in 2021 through the Downtown Pittston Partnership and hold a “Grand Opening” event featuring all of them once state mandates allow.
“You can plan on seeing old fashioned sidewalk sales once a month on Saturdays in town also,” she said.
“Some other events we are looking into is a Wine Sip and Stroll, an ice sculpture event, animated art strolls and a few other surprises,” Kroptavich added.
As for construction, Lombardo noted the city has acquired the Pittston Lumber site and is working on a plan to bring recreation, housing and business opportunities there.
He also hopes to see 2021 be the year the city finishes its North Main streetscaping projects.
“It’s going to take some time to get our legs back under us,” Lombardo said. “This coming year will be better. It’s got to be.”
Contact the writer: sscinto203@gmail.com
