MANSFIELD — After a crucial mishap with the Pokèmon Go smartphone application on July 16, Downtown Mansfield Incorporated has prepared for a rain check date: Friday, Aug. 5.
According to DMI’s Bryan Gladden, the original date had to be scrapped when the Pokèmon Go servers went down. DMI has remained committed to the event though with a purpose to engage the community and bring out residents to explore the downtown area during the First Friday Shop Hop event.
“Pokèmon Go is bizarre,” Gladden said. “It attracts people in their 40’s playing with their 12-year-old (child).”
The event, co-sponsored by Richland Source will go from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration will be at the Build128 building at 128 N. Main Street.
Gladden said he hopes DMIGo will coax Mansfielders out to explore the city’s downtown shops and food venues while hunting pokèmon critters and exploring the Downtown area.
After all, Gladden said this Shop Hop features many different avenues for residents to get excited about.
The Weekend of Aug. 5 will be Ohio’s Tax-Free Weekend where all items of clothing under $75 and school supplies at under $20 can be purchased without federal tax at participating downtown stores such as Main Street Books, What Goes Around, Crowes Shoes, Little Bo-Tique Mansfield, The Bootlife, Henne’s Art Supplies, Art Space 109, Carrousel Antiques, and Richland Carrousel Park.
Also, Richland Carrousel Park will be hosting a Harry Potter and Hogwarts night where customers wearing their favorite wizard and which-themed costumes will receive a free gift.
A School Supplies collection will commence accepting donated school and art supplies until Aug. 12. Donations can be collected at Element of Art, The Visiting Nurses Association, Richland County Carrousel Park, and Build 128, and Relax It’s Just Coffee during normal business hours and also First Friday Shop Hop. All items collected will be donated to Mansfield City elementary schools.
Both The Phoenix Brewing Company and Element of art will host live entertainment Friday. The brewing company’s Firkin Friday and live music by The Alkis 8 to 11 p.m. will follow Element of Art’s live entertainment from 5 until 8 p.m. They will also be showing new art on display.
Main Street Books will host author Donald Ray Pollock, with his latest novel, “The Heavenly Table.”
