WEST READING, Pa. — The music was getting ready, and the pig was already roasting.
West Reading was preparing for another busy Second Friday celebration Friday evening.
This month’s event has a patriotic theme, coming just days after America’s 250th birthday.
“Tonight we have live music on North Sixth Avenue, vintage cars on display, and up at the American Diner we have a live pig roast going on, as well as a DJ,” said Nick Price, Main Street executive director.
Organizers say events like this are designed to get people walking through downtown and into local businesses.
“We provide the activities, but you make the fun,” Price said. “You’ll run into friends, you’ll see people you haven’t seen, you’ll go into a store, and you’ll leave here saying, ‘That was a lot of fun.'”
Of course, organizers say there’s one thing they can’t control — the weather.
“We control everything we can… except the weather,” Price said. “I think we’re going to be okay today, but if Mother Nature wants to rain on our parade… we’ll be back to do it again.”
Businesses along Penn Avenue say nights like this are a big boost.
“This means it’s huge for the business. It’s huge for every business owner on the Avenue,” said Christine Colon of the American Diner. “We’re all about small business owners… come out and support us.”
Organizers expect Friday night’s event to bring between 500 and 1,000 additional visitors to West Reading.
Everything starts around 5 p.m. and runs until about 8 p.m., but organizers say the restaurants and shops will stay open later and are encouraging people to come early and stay awhile.