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Monthly evening street festivals and a June 11 village fair are some of the activities that the year-old Briarcliff Chamber of Commerce has planned for this year.
Members of the chamber met last night at Orfino's Restaurant for a social gathering with guest speaker Liz Bracken-Thompson, executive vice president of the Briarcliff-based public relations agency Thompson & Bender.
"The chamber was developed because business owners felt they needed more of a voice and cooperative advertising and marketing with events that focus on downtown Briarcliff," said Donald Borho, owner of the gift store Wondrous Things on Pleasantville Road. "We all have tight roots to Briarcliff."
For this spring and summer, the 61-member chamber has planned Thursday Night Lights, a series of night-time street festivals held on the first Thursday of each month during which businesses will offer refreshments and promotions that go along with a theme.
"Every business is encouraged to have something going on, and it will be an opportunity to stroll, shop and dine," said Sue Taub, the owner of Holbrook Cotttage, a downtown Briarcliff gift shop.
Street music during the Thursday night festivals will be provided by Mike and Miriam Risko, owners of the Mike Risko Music School in Ossining. Themes for the festivals include Barbeque Time, Artist in the Village and Hoedown.
Over 150 vendors have agreed to participate in the June 11 village fair, slated from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
For October 15, the organization is planning its second annual Harvest Festival featuring vendors, local clubs and children's activities.
"Our focus is giving local business owners without a storefront on Pleasantville Road an opportunity to meet residents," said Hillary Messer of Sunrise Building & Remodeling. "The chamber has tried to bring together local businesses on North State Road and upper Pleasantville Road with central business merchants."
Do you know of activities going on in Briarcliff? Email us at tlee@mainstreetconnect.us or join TheDailyBriarcliff.com's conversation on Facebook.
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