In 2025, the Holiday Market in downtown Muncy drew 70 regular vendors, 19 food vendors, scores of nonprofits and sponsors, and hundreds of visitors who strolled up and down shopping and enjoying music during a most wonderful time of the year.

Organizers with Downtown Muncy Inc. and its events committee made sure Main Street was blocked to traffic and trash and litter was collected.

“We are now kind of on a rinse-and-repeat cycle,” said J. Tyler Thompson, a member of DMI events committee, of the process for holding the market and the popular Fourth Fridays, which require obtaining a permit for road closure for the special events.

In the case of Fourth Fridays, the street fair held on that celebratory night on the calendar, the same measures of planning ahead apply, he explained.

Returning investments

During this past year’s Fourth Friday events, all vendor fees collected went to a specific organization decided on, Janessa Mitterling, of the DMI events committee, noted.

In May, vendor fees collected went to the RJ Patrizio Community Pool. The fees enabled it so that no local children using the pool had to pay for swimming lessons, she said.

In June, the fees went toward work done by the Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Co., which has a crucial role in fire suppression, accident and disaster response and EMS.

In July, the fees supported the Muncy Public Library.

Each check got consecutively bigger – with money invested back into the community organizations.

“As we grow there should be more funds,” Mitterling said.

On one Fourth Friday night in the summer, two phenomenal bands lit up the stage, and the vendor lineup was stronger and the food attracted a large crowd. Main Street was filled with joy, laughter, and hometown pride.

As an example of that one night, DMI raised $2,000 for the fire company.

“That’s not just a number — it’s fuel for the unsung heroes who keep us safe,” said Bradley Clayton, DMI events committee member, on the organization’s Facebook page. “Our volunteer firefighters don’t just respond to emergencies — they show up for parades, community events, school visits, and fundraisers. They give their time, their heart, and their strength to protect and support us all. This donation helps ensure they have the gear, training, and resources to continue doing just that.”

Fourth Friday was reborn — after being moved out of downtown and nearly fading out, and DMI reimagined the special event with a new look, a new voice, and a renewed purpose, he said.

“It’s not just a night out — it’s a movement. And you’re part of it,” Clayton wrote.

True enough, since 2022, DMI has supported any new or existing businesses, recruited investment and helped to preserve the downtown’s historic fabric.

To see that is done, the team works hard on building relationships and networking — which has been a key component of DMI’s success.

For example, DMI has developed relationships with the Eastern Lycoming YMCA, and the local Rotary and Lions clubs, and is seeking coordination with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, local colleges and the Muncy High School.

Events spur networking with existing businesses

Currently, the marquee events — such as the Holiday Market and Fourth Fridays — have brought a lot of activity to the downtown and that has generated another plus – as these events have helped allow other businesses to grow and prosper.

“We helped Wagging Tail Coffee find their new location,” Thompson said. “We want to see things happen and change,” he said.

“Bridging gaps,” Mitterling added.

Organizers are also considering enlarging the Kid’s area a bit for each of the Fourth Fridays, adding more activities, including possibly bringing in livestock – an idea which is on the drawing board, Clayton said.