MUNCY – The Muncy Professional Business Association met last Thursday night at Orlando’s for their monthly meeting, and for the agenda they mostly discussed the success they have had with the Muncy 4th Friday events for June, July and August.

They have been very profitable according to the committee. “More businesses want to get involved,” announced president, Ann Baker. “Facebook and social media are helping make the business community work well together.”

An average of close to 4 thousand people attended each month with June being the heaviest. “We had all ages and families each night,” Baker added. “It was a nice mix.” Committee chair, Kim Wetherhold said, “This has been great for Muncy.”

Many of the participants for the corn husking contest came from all over. The winner was from Dushore, they said. “It’s a lot easier now to get vendors,” Baker replied. “So many are now asking, and new members are always welcome.”

There are currently 50 paid members in Muncy’s business organization. Baker also said she is working on a database using Muncy’s zip code to list all of the businesses in the area with the hopes of contacting some of them to join.

With their profits the business organization decided to put money back into the Muncy community. Some of the challenges faced with the 4th Friday events include seating and electricity. A new committee was formed, a streetscape committee, to help take care of keeping downtown Main Street aesthetically presentable. Tillie Noviello agreed to chair the committee which will help with flowers downtown, decorating for the Halloween parade and helping with some weeding.

Benches have been chosen from Play World and hopefully six of them will be placed in the spring of 2017 before the next Muncy 4th Friday begins in June and a budget to cover the cost of them has been set aside.

Baker said she would like the organization to possibly host a winter fundraiser to raise money for streetlights. So far the MPBA has made donations to the Son-Light House and the Muncy Public Library with some of the Muncy 4th Friday proceeds.

Much discussion also took place for September’s Corvette and artisans’ show. Chair Wayne McPheron said that 62 vendors are locked in and the Muncy High School FBLA will be managing the Kids Zone. Representing the school club was Sarah Freezer, a senior at Muncy High School and President of the FBLA. Activities will include a golf game, the bounce house, face painting, a soccer shoot-out and a ring toss. Boy scouts will be selling funnel cakes and cars will be lined up from Penn Street to Water Street on both sides of the street.

For October, an Octoberfest is being planned to coordinate with the Muncy Monster Dash. The MPBA offered to sponsor some water stations during the foot race and also decorate with mums, corn stalks and hay bales downtown.

Nicole Meyer, president of the parent teacher organization asked if the MPBA could put things in the grab bags that will be handed out to the runners. They can also help sponsor the tee shirts. “Kilometer sponsors are always needed,” she said. The Monster Dash is scheduled for October 22 and this will be the 6th year for the race. Last year there were 85 youth registered for the kids run and 161 adults.

“We would also like to see more involvement with Muncy’s Halloween parade,” Baker announced, hoping to get more floats this year from the school and local businesses.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m.