Family-friendly activities, food and craft vendors, musical entertainment of various kinds, and good fellowship are all hallmarks of Muncy’s “Fourth Friday” activities, which take place monthly at the Today Farm, the former Tom Styer’s farm in Muncy.
Ann Baker was one of the organizers and has been involved with the event since it began 15 years ago.
“It started as a street art fair and gradually became a huge block party. It was hosted by the Muncy Professional and Business Association. The events were held in June, July, and August and had 50-plus vendors/crafters, food trucks, kids’ activities, and contests, Baker told Webb Weekly.
“The committee added contests for the attendees, such as pie eating contests, watermelon eating contests, and one of our favorites, corn shucking. We never had a problem getting participants. One of my greatest memories is watching Kirsten Minier shuck corn like a pro corn shucker. She was champion for many years. After the corn was shucked, we would cook it up and give it away to all the attendees.”
Baker said what made the event so special was their support for the local non-profits. Each month, they would pick a non-profit, highlight it, and donate proceeds to it. Some of these were the Muncy Volunteer Fire Department, Muncy Pool, Sonlight House, and Muncy Library, to name a few.
The family-friendly event had something for everyone, and thousands of people would line Main Street.
Things changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the pandemic, the organizers decided to transition the Fourth Fridays to the newly formed Downtown Muncy Inc.
Due to road closure restrictions, etc., they moved the June 2023 Fourth Friday to the old carnival grounds behind Basil Restaurant. It was a huge success and added a little more for the people attending by using the old stage for the bands to play.
“In July of 2023, there was now a new challenge for us as we needed to find a new place to have the events because of tree damage to the property.”
By pure chance, Baker sent a request to Josh at Today Farm and asked if the event could be held at his farm. He was hesitant, but she told him she believed it would attract lots of people to the farm to see what he was doing with what we all knew for years as the Tom Styer Farm. So, he agreed.
The event in July 2023 was one of the biggest Fourth Fridays they had ever had, and now this already wonderful family event has added an even safer space for kids to play and families to hang out, even with their fur babies. Farm and agriculture were added as they offered hayrides, photos with farm animals, and feeding chickens and goats. They have a farmer’s market that offers homegrown items and teachings such as honey making.
She said they were able to add more vendors and food trucks because the Bullfrog Brewery from Williamsport partnered with Today Farm to open a second location and offer microbrew in the Bullfrog Pub.
She said it takes a lot of work to plan and organize these events, and many people are needed to help make them a success.
Baker stated that Today Farm has many farm-related events and has a full-time event coordinator. So, when Baker and her daughter, who had been organizing these events for over 12 years, decided they needed more help, the most logical thing to do was ask the farm if they would like to take them over. They were honored, and organizers started to transition everything to them.
“It is such an honor to have organized these events. The number of relationships that were formed and memories will forever be in my heart,” said Baker. “The partnership and friendship that I have found in Today Farm and Bullfrog Brewery is not only one I treasure but I also value the possibilities and wonderful family-friendly events that support our state’s agricultural tourism and highlights our farmland and Muncy area. I would also like to say that Sandy Putney, Linda Stein, and Kim Wetherhold, the organizers prior to me and Marrissa Baker, I appreciate you for the initial vision you had and for supporting me for so long.”
Baker continued, “My last 12 years have been so amazing, and I am so excited to see all that Josh, Barb, Steve, Alisha, Birch, Curt, Courtney, Brandon, Scottie, and the entire staff do with continuing this tradition. “
Muncy’s Fourth Fridays this year are June 28th, July 26th, and August 23rd, from 6 to 9. Location Today Farm is 215 Shady Lane, Muncy, PA 17756. Email Barb@todayfarm.net if you are interested in participating as a vendor.
