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Cavs fans watch on in downtown Kent as the Cleveland Cavaliers fight their final battle with the San Antonio Spurs at the Quicken Loans Arena. DAVID RANUCCI | SUMMER KENT STATER

Bank's plaza offers free fun

Downtown businesses bring events to community

By: Brindi Bays

Posted: 6/20/07

Home Savings Bank, located at the corner of North Water and West Main streets, has made plans to host free community events in its plaza, said Marilyn Sessions, human resources and training officer at the bank.

Last Thursday, it hosted a blimp-screen showing of the Cavs game there.

But the bank isn't the only contributor to the plaza's events.

Every year, it partners with other businesses and Downtown Innovative Community Events, a partnership that strives to revitalize downtown Kent, to find ways to bring entertainment to the plaza.

Events put on by the bank, some with the help of Downtown Innovative Community Events, include concerts, cinema nights and an ice cream social.

Jeff Ingram, executive director of Standing Rock Cultural Arts in downtown Kent, said the partnership cooperates with Home Savings Bank to host the annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social, which will be August 11. Standing Rock is a nonprofit art and education organization that works with Downtown Innovative Community Events.

The event includes vendors, jugglers and other activities to entertain the community, Ingram said. The vendors can set up for free and sell their products to the public.

Steve "Red" Michel, manager of Star of the West Milling Co., "wholeheartedly" supports the events held at the plaza. Star of the West has been involved with helping and supporting past events, he said.

"The goal is to get the students involved and to create a partnership between the college and the town," Michel said.

Sessions said the public is able to hold its own events such as weddings, reunions and socials at the plaza free of cost. If interested, one needs to contact her at the bank to reserve a date, she said.

Contact entertainment reporter Brindi Bays at bbays@kent.edu.

Upcoming Events

• June 29 - Sidewalk Cinema, 9 p.m.
• July 12 - Brass Band of the Western Reserve, 7 to 9 p.m.
• July 27 - Sidewalk Cinema, 9 p.m.
• Aug. 11 - Ice Cream Social, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Aug. 16 - The Wanda Hunt Band, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Aug. 31 - Sidewalk Cinema, 9 p.m.
• Sept. 6 - Kent State University Flash in the Pan, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Nov. 3 - Cider Festival, noon to 3 p.m.
• Feb. 9, 2008 - "Make Mine with Ice" ice-carving competition.

All events are open to the public. Bring your own chair. Rain dates for most concerts will be the following Thursday, if possible.

All events take place at the Home Savings Bank Plaza.