MUNCY — Once a month from June through September, the streets of downtown Muncy become lined with vendors and packed with guests for the Fourth Friday festivities. August will be no different if last month’s attendance is any indication.

July saw at least 1,000 people packing the blocked off Main Street from Water to Penn, and this month is shaping up to be no different, said Ann Baker, Murray Motors, and chairperson for this year’s Fourth Friday events.

Baker is the president of the Muncy Professional and Business Association, which serves to help all businesses in the 17756 zip code (which includes the downtown area, Muncy Creek Township and Muncy Borough) become involved in the community.

This year’s committee includes representatives from State Farm, Muncy Bank & Trust Co., White Horse Graphics, In Harmony Massage and Re/Max Edge, along with Baker’s daughter, who serves as a volunteer.

The idea of a Fourth Friday event started small eight years ago, when the MPBA began its planning, but two years ago, thanks to the help of social media, Baker said the committee really started to see things start to grow.

“Last year, Kim Wetherhold, of Muncy Bank, was the chairperson and I was her co-chair,” she said. “We started advertising on Facebook and it was amazing what sharing photos allowed us to do. People really became interested in coming out to see what Fourth Friday was all about and businesses wanted to get involved.”

About 60 vendors are expected for Friday’s event, which includes everything from arts and crafts vendors, and home sales companies, to food trucks and non-profit organizations. Churches often give away snacks like popcorn and snow cones and, while Main Street businesses typically close their doors between 5 and 6 p.m., most remain open while the festivities continue from 6 to 9 p.m.

“We have been trying to get people to realize that we might not have foot traffic, but we do know that we have everything covered — lawyers, restaurants, dentists — they’ll all put a stand out,” Baker said.

Those who aren’t available to participate often will invite a local school organization to take their place.

The space serves as a great opportunity for sports groups to raise money or provide educational materials to visitors. In turn, the small vendor fee collected by the Muncy Professional and Business Association goes back to the community for things like benches and flower pots downtown and any needs the park may have.

In addition, each month typically includes a contest. Last month, Marty’s Bicycle Shop donated a bicycle for a giveaway.

In order to participate, guests were asked to bring a non-perishable food item that was donated to Son Light House, which distributes food and clothing to those in need.

This month, Weis Markets donated corn for a corn husking contest, which will later be cooked by Orlando’s Restaurant for guests to enjoy.

A large kid’s zone, sponsored by State Farm, will be set up near Penn Street and will include a bounce house, face painting, an art show, a superhero and a dinosaur for photo opportunities.

Live entertainment for August will be provided by The Running Joke.

For more information, find Muncy Professional and Business Association on Facebook @muncy business.