Mural Ribbon Cutting at July First Friday event

The City of Xenia and the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce invite you to a celebratory ribbon-cutting at the second downtown mural recently completed on the Fastenal building at 130 S. Detroit Street downtown on July 6 at 6 p.m. 

Xenia Mayor Marsha Bayless will officiate and other representatives from City Council, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, owners of the building, Powers Management Associates, Inc, the Xenia Downtown Revitalization Committee (XDRC), and members of the original Xenia Mural Society (now a part of the design committee of XDRC), will be in attendance.

Xenia Mayor Marsha Bayless said she is pleased with the improvements occurring through the Downtown Tier Two Comprehensive Revitalization Program and through the City’s Community Development Block Grant efforts.  “I applaud the private investments of time and money from the downtown businesses and building owners, and especially the hard-working volunteers on the Xenia Downtown Revitalization Committee and their volunteer Chairperson John Finlay.  XDRC has worked tirelessly to bring many diverse people to the table in support of downtown’s revitalization.”

Elizabeth Svendsen the owner of Walkabout Books and XDRC Vice-Chair said, “With the completion of the bicycle enhancement project slated to begin this fall along the Little Miami Scenic Bicycle Trail between Xenia Station and W. Third Street, and the work of the newly formed Friends of Xenia Station (FOXS), this mural will provide a welcome addition to Xenia’s bicycle-oriented community.  We hope more cyclists will be involved in downtown and visit downtown not just on First Fridays but all year around.”  

Prize-winning artist Rob Richards of Xenia Community Schools, whose trails-themed design work is featured on the mural, and professional muralist Keith Hasenbalg will be in attendance to showcase this second mural painted downtown as part of the 2009 Tier Two Downtown Building and Streetscape program.  Keith Hasenbalg, professional muralist, was the same artist selected to design and paint the mural located at Xenia’s Community Theater (X*ACT) at 45 E. Second Street last summer as part of the downtown grant activities. 

In addition to the 6:00 Ribbon Cutting at 130 S. Detroit,  the July First Friday event will feature music at Courthouse Square, food vendors, free foot massages at Xenia Shoe and Leather, Silent Auction at the Flower Stop, a historic walking tour leaving the Courthouse at 6:30, dozens of vendor/craft booths, and much much more.  Bring your family for some food, fun, and friendships.  Parking for the ribbon cutting will be available in public parking lots number 8 and 2 along East and West Second Street respectively, as well as at the Xenia Station, Towne Square, and along the streets wherever vendors are not set up for First Friday.   An information booth manned by XDRC volunteers will be open at the northwest corner of W. Main and S. Detroit. 

For more information about the ribbon cutting, contact the Xenia Area Chamber at 372-3591.  For more information about the downtown and ongoing efforts of the Xenia Downtown Revitalization Committee, visit www.xeniadrc.org or contact the City of Xenia Development Department at (937) 372-6389.