Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Downtown businesses are starting to collaborate and one outgrowth of that effort is a “Downtown Warren Fall Foliage Festival” set to be held next month.

One of the objectives for improving the City of Warren’s riverfront is driving business and economic activity in the downtown.

Downtown business owners are collaborating to capitalize on growth that’s already occurred.

And next month, that will take the form of a “Downtown Warren Fall Foliage Festival.”

“The need for downtown businesses to gather has been evident for a while now,” said Annamarie Miller, whose family owned and operated Virg-Ann Flower Shop for decades.

The effort to facilitate those conversations is a piece of the city’s implementation of its comprehensive plan.

“New businesses opening have infused life into downtown Warren,” Miller said. “Buildings have been renovated that were eyesores and downtown is looking good. Time for businesses to gather, meet, and plan together for an exciting future of events and increased communication.”

The Christmas Walk appears to have been an impetus in spurring these conversations forward.

“WCCBI (Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry) organizes and promotes the Christmas Parade and Walk every year. If they didn’t do it there wouldn’t be one,” Miller said. “Volunteers are needed and of course at Christmas Business owners are too busy to help.”

Miller said she volunteered to help now that she’s retired and has worked with Piper VanOrd, who owns and operates Allegheny Outfitters to “continue to promote downtown.”

Making contacts to coordinate Christmas Walk events and activities with the individual businesses was a challenge.

The effort started with “phone calls, emails, and then stopping in to visit each business and drop off information for the Christmas Parade and Walk,” Miller said. “Numerous calls and emails sometimes did not get through. However, many businesses participated and it was a success.”

The saying goes that success breeds success.

So with the success of the Christmas Walk and the Fourth of July, Miller and VanOrd are targeting a fall event – the Downtown Warren Fall Foliage Festival.

The event is set for Oct. 11 and 12.

Miller said participating businesses will be “providing hospitality, specials, demonstrations, make ‘n take, children’s activities and entertainment. A map of participating businesses and events will be available.”

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A street dance will be held on Second Ave. on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. followed by square dancing and music. The Warren Area Student Union will be open both evenings. Crary Art Gallery will be open noon to six both days while the City’s Comprehensive Plan Task Force is holding a Trail of Treats at 2 p.m. at Crescent Park.

A Facebook event page for the festival can be found at the “Explore Downtown Warren, PA” page.

“Warren is a stunning city along the banks of the Allegheny River in fall and it’s time we celebrate it,” the event page says.