This Friday marks the fall edition of Urban Nights in downtown Dayton. It's an event that showcases the music, arts, dining and housing that downtown Dayton has to offer. On this edition of Kaleidoscope, Juliet Fromholt spoke with Kristen Wicker and Krystal Luketic from the Downtown Dayton Partnership about the origins of Urban Nights and the new features at this fall's event.
Interview Highlights:
Kristen Wicker on the early days of Urban Nights
"We had maybe a couple thousand people come downtown, maybe about 25 participating venues. It was kind of what First Friday is now where you had primarily a handful of art galleries that would do exhibit openings, and it just gradually grew. In the past few years it really has taken off, and we estimate based on the number of programs we distribute and the follow up surveys we do with our participating businesses that we have about 30,000 people who come downtown during Urban Nights."
Krystal Luketic on one of the new features at Urban Nights
"Big Brothers Big Sister is hosting an event called Over the Edge where 76 participants will be rappelling over the side of the Key Bank Tower, 27 stories. Each person has raised $1,000 to contribute to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and for that $1,000 they get to jump off 27 stories."
Kristen Wicker on Urban Nights and downtown business
"Almost all of our businesses downtown are locally owned and operated. They are not chains. You will not find them in any other city. The only place that you can go and experience what this particular gallery or retailer or club or restaurant has to offer is in downtown Dayton, Ohio"