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Mainstreet Piqua is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization, promotion and economic development of downtown Piqua, Ohio.  The organization was founded in 1993 with a core mission of improving the heart of our community. 

Mainstreet Piqua follows the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 4-point approach for downtown revitalization.  We are a designated Ohio Main Street Program and have been certified as a National Main Street Program for seven consecutive years. 

The organization is led by a dedicated Board of Trustees and is widely supported by the downtown business community, area financial institutions and a host of corporate supporters and individuals from throughout the Piqua community and beyond.  Mainstreet Piqua also appreciates the full support of the City of Piqua. 

We host a variety of family-oriented community events including Taste of the Arts, Downtown Brown Bag Series and Christmas on the Green.  For a full listing of all our events please visit our Calendar of Events. 

To support the ongoing mission of the organization Mainstreet Piqua we are proud to offer a complete line of Piqua collectibles and memorabilia.  Our offerings include two different decks of Piqua Playing Cards featuring historical photos of Piqua, mugs, ornaments, note-cards, mini-crocks, spoon rests, and a DVD featuring a 40-minute driving tour of Piqua done in 1957. 

There are numerous volunteer opportunities within the Mainstreet Piqua organization.  Please call us a 937-773-9355 if you have any questions or feel free to drop us an email at info@mainstreetpiqua.com

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Taste of the Arts Set for Friday, May 18

Miami County's official kickoff to summertime, Taste of the Arts, will take to the streets of downtown Piqua on Friday, May 18. This annual family-friendly, fun event has no shortage of new offerings and entertainment for everyone. The event runs from 5 - 9 p.m. in the 300 & 400 blocks of N. Main Street.

Taste of the Arts is a wonderful 'taste' event that gives visitors a sampling of delicious food, live music and art. Taste of the Arts features fourteen different area restaurants and caterers offering their popular menu items ranging from just $1 (1 ticket) to $4 (4 tickets.) The restaurant tents are located in the 100 blocks of East and West Ash Street - right in the middle of all the activities and fun. To purchase food or beverages during the evening all transactions are done with tickets and the Taste of the Arts ticket tent is conveniently located between the food tents. Tickets are sold in $1 increments. The beverage booth is also located next to the food tents for easy access.

Taste of the Arts will also feature nine different demonstrating artists in various storefronts along Main Street. The demonstrations include a watercolor demonstration by Marsha Elliot, an oil demonstration by Jennifer Noren, an iPhone photography exhibit by Brad Reed and a vast sculpture exhibit from blind sculptor Paul Ponchillia and pottery demonstration by Tipp City's Sally Watson. Other demonstrating artists include Linda Hamilton from Piqua and Donna Pierce Clark from Springfield. The Piqua Visual Artist's group will be on hand to do several demonstrations throughout the evening. All the storefronts that will be hosting demonstrating artists will have large signs depicting the artists name and their demonstration times.

The Main Street Kids Zone is located in the 400 block of N. Main Street and features free activities from local non-profit organizations. There will be six different offerings for kids through teens to enjoy. Our special kids entertainer this year is Divas and Dogs a fun lighthearted show featuring three dogs and their two people! They will be doing two stage shows at 5:30 and 7 p.m. and these shows are not to be missed!

Another popular feature of the Taste of the Arts is the wonderful live music that fills the air. The Kim Kelly Orchestra will be the featured entertainer this year and this diverse group of musicians will be joined by several vocalists and they perform a variety of different musical selections. The Kim Kelly Orchestra will be located in the main entertainment stage in the 300 block of N. Main Street and benches are available for those who would like to sit a while and enjoy the music. In addition the barbershop group Lamppost IV will be strolling the downtown and performing in a number of storefronts throughout the evening.

The Piqua Public Library will be again be hosting an Author Fair during the night of Taste of the Arts. For the Author Fair over 23 different authors will be set up in the lobby of the Piqua Public Library and will have their published works available for signing and sale. There will be a wide variety of authors including children's book authors, teen book authors and poets.

Returning for a second year will be the Farmers and Artisans Alley off the 400 block of N. Main Street. The area will feature vendors from the Piqua Community Farmers market along with other artists with handcraft items.

Admission to Taste of the Arts is free. A full schedule of events can be found Here and a menu is available Here. For more information call Mainstreet at 937-773-9355.

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Taste of the Arts Children's Entertainment

Piqua is gearing up for the fun-filled, food-filled and arts-filled 18th annual Taste of the Arts extravaganza set for Friday evening, May 18, 2012 on the downtown streets of Piqua. And to add to the excitement, the Divas & Dogs Variety Show, featuring Bonzer, Bizzo and Cooey, three adorable and highly-trained Australian Shepherd dogs, along with their human counterparts, the Funny Diva Diane Wasnak (aka Pino the Clown) and the Voice Diva Barb Polk have just been booked as featured Children's Entertainment for the festival event.

Children and adults alike will be thoroughly entertained by the performers in the Divas & Dogs Variety Show. It's a wild and wacky show with zany characters, comedy, songs, mime, audience participation and clever dogs with plenty of tricks up their .. Uh, paws. A funny little clown, a hat-stealing dog, a lady who has you bark to music, and hoop jumping, dancing, skateboard-riding dogs will make for wonderful laughter and fun.

There will be two performances given by the Divas & Dogs - one at 5:30 and the other at 7 p.m and both will be performed on the street next to the Main Street Kids Zone activities tent on North Main Street. You'll fall in love with the adorable, antics of Bonzer, Bizzo and Cooey along with Pino the Clown and Voice Diva. Their performances are free - just one of the many highlights of the Taste of the Arts that you will not want to miss. Plan now to stroll the Main Street of Piqua from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, to enjoy the 18th annual Taste of the Arts presented by Mainstreet Piqua.

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Veterans Memorial Cat's Meow Now Available

Just in time for Veterans Day and the Christmas season, Mainstreet Piqua is offering a brand new Cat's Meow of the Piqua Veterans Memorial.  Cat's Meow Collectibles are exact replicas of a building or landmark on silk-screened custom shaped pieces of wood.

There are now five different Cat's Meow's available from Mainstreet Piqua and they include the Fort Piqua Plaza, the Municipal Government Complex, Hance Pavilion, the High Street Gazebo and the just released Veterans Memorial.

The Cat's Meow collectibles can be found at Readmore's Hallmark, 430 N. Main Street, Apple Tree Gallery, 405 N. Main Street and from the Mainstreet Piqua office at 326 N. Main Street.  The cost is $20 per piece.  Those with questions can contact Mainstreet Piqua at 773-9355.

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Piqua Throw Blankets Now Available...

Mainstreet Piqua is proud to offer a 100% cotton coverlet featuring six landmarks from throughout the Piqua community. This full color throw blanket is fringed on all four sides and is Made in the USA.

The throw blankets measure 50" x 70" and feature original watercolor artwork by Piqua artist Roe Kienle.

Download your order form Here.

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Fifth "Made in Piqua" Ornament Now Available

The Meteor Motor Car Company is the featured business on the fifth "Made in Piqua" ornament that is now available. The brass ornament features the front of the original Meteor Motor Car Company building and an ambulance and hearse. The Meteor Motor Car Company, which later became the Miller-Meteor Motor Car Company, began production of luxury cars, funeral coaches and ambulances in Piqua in 1913 and remained in business through the mid 1970's.

The "Made in Piqua" ornament series was started to honor Piqua's landmark companies and have so far featured a Decker's lard can, a three-blade Hartzell propeller, a Favorite base burner stove and the French Oil Mill Machinery Company. Each ornament comes in a blue box that was especially produced for the project by Piqua Paper Box Company. The cost per ornament is $12.

Mainstreet Director Lorna Swisher, who is coordinating the project, says Tom Caserta, the present owner of the company was intimately involved in the design of the ornament. "I am very excited to see the Meteor Motor Car Company honored in this way." Says Tom Caserta.

"We appreciate the cooperation of Piqua Paper Box Company with this project. We thought it was very important to have a "Made in Piqua" ornament that could be purchased in a box that was made in Piqua."

The ornaments are now available at the Mainstreet Piqua office, 326 N. Main Street as well as Readmore Hallmark, 430 N. Main Street, Apple Tree Gallery, 405 N. Main Street and Tapestry Angel, 516 Spring Street.

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First and Second "Made in Piqua" Ornaments Re-Released

Due to the overwhelming number of requests for the first two "Made in Piqua" brass ornaments, Mainstreet Piqua has re-released the popular collectibles.

The Decker's lard can and the Hartzell Propeller ornaments are available at the Mainstreet office at 326 N. Main Street as well as Readmore's Hallmark, 430 N. Main Street, Apple Tree Gallery, 405 N. Main Street and Tapestry Angel, 516 Spring Street.

Mainstreet Piqua started the popular collectible series in 2007 in tribute to Piqua's rich industrial heritage. The first ornament, the Decker's lard can, completely sold out just a few weeks after it was released in November 2007 and the 2008 version, the 3-blade Hartzell Propeller, sold just as quickly. The ornaments come in a sturdy blue box that was specially designed and produced for the project by Piqua Paper Box Company. The cost per ornament is $12.

The idea for the series of collectible ornaments came from retired downtown Piqua merchant Doug Stilwell. The 2009 ornament was the Favorite Stove Company and last year's ornament showcased The French Oil Mill Machinery Company. Both of these ornaments are still available.

The 2011 ornament will be the Meteor Motor Car Company. For additional information on the "Made in Piqua" ornaments contact Mainstreet Piqua at 937-773-9355.

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Got ideas?

If you have ideas or suggestions for the improvement of downtown Piqua please share your thoughts with us through the Mainstreet Piqua Suggestion Box. We appreciate your input and thank you in advance.

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Contact Information:

Mainstreet Piqua, Inc.
PO Box 1703
Piqua, OH 45356
Phone 937-773-9355
Or E-mail s at:
info@mainstreetpiqua.com
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