A special night in Youngstown

By the Youngstown Business and Professional Association

What a night in the Village of Youngstown! The 15th annual Beginning of Summer Street Dance and Car Cruise, hosted by the Youngstown Business and Professional Association, was everything we hoped for and more.

The streets were packed with smiling faces, dancing feet, and the perfect mix of small-town charm and summer magic. Huge thank you to the incredible YBPA team – Melisssa Kudel, Dotty Riordan, Steve Kennedy, Lewis Bean, Cheryl Butera and others – for organizing another unforgettable event that brought our community together in the best way.

Live music by Dave Stayner kept the energy going all night long – people of all ages were out dancing, singing along and loving every minute. From classic hits to feel-good favorites, it was the perfect soundtrack for the start of summer.

A special shoutout to the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co. – the kids couldn’t get enough of exploring the ambulance and fire truck. Thank you, Dylan Thompson and the whole team, for being there and making it such a fun and memorable part of the night.

The Friends of the Youngstown Library added its usual warmth and heart – thank you to Sonora Miller, Karran Swayze, Jill Mazur and Maggie Styn (and Eve, for the photo-op), for showing up and sharing the love of our community library.

Of course, the always-reliable Youngstown Lions were out in full force. Big thanks to Bev VanDuesen and Stu Comerford for everything you do. We also loved seeing the Village Board of Trustees, our mayor and deputy mayor, walking the streets and enjoying the evening with all of us.

We can’t forget to thank Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti, who brought out an awesome vintage patrol car that was a hit with both the kids and the grownups.

The night had it all – pony rides from Lakeside Quarterhorses, face painting, balloon animals, and some seriously good eats from Foodini, The Griffon, and the Ontario House (Jug). And of course, no summer night in Youngstown is complete without a stop at Petey’s Treats for ice cream and a wave from Hannah and Bridget behind the counter.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made this such a joyful night. Youngstown is full of heart, and events like this are a reminder of just how lucky we are to call it home. Can’t wait to do it all again next year!

And mark your calendars for the next YBPA event – our annual awards dinner on Sept. 9 at the Niagara Frontier Golf Club. YBPA will present its Business of the Year, Community Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award that night. Save the date.