Fridays on Fifth aims to show off the new New Kensington

A new monthly food truck event aims to showcase all the new and existing businesses in downtown New Kensington.

Fridays on Fifth will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month from July through October on Fifth Avenue between Ninth and 10th Streets. The first is set for July 23.

It is an effort of the city and its recreation committee.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for everybody to come downtown and see what all the excitement is about,” Mayor Tom Guzzo said.

Guzzo said eight or nine food trucks are expected to be there, offering Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, barbecue and vegan choices. City food establishments such as Sweet Tillies, Sweet Alchemy and Ashley’s Kitchen also will participate.

All of the city’s businesses have been encouraged to stay open those nights, Guzzo said.

“A few of us were discussing how to promote some of our new businesses downtown,” he said. “There’s a buzz right now. A lot of people are coming down. We thought, let’s make it an even bigger event: Come down, check out the new places, get some food and have a really nice time downtown.”

Voodoo Brewery, owned by Michael Malcanas, is a sponsor and will be providing entertainment. Malcanas is president of Olde Towne Overhaul, which has been acquiring and renovating buildings in the downtown area for use by several new businesses.

“We are very excited to be able to collaborate with the city and provide entertainment and additional marketing support for this event,” said Michelle Thom, operations manager for Olde Towne Overhaul. “We will be bringing in local area musicians and New Kensington acts for every event, free of charge for visitors, and they will play either outside on the lot next to Voodoo or inside if the weather isn’t cooperating.”

Jake Rubenstein will be the performer July 23, Thom said.

Thom said Olde Towne Overhaul is working with its social media company, Ten Four Social, to attract visitors from all over Pittsburgh to the first event to “show everyone the ‘New Kennaissance’ or the new New Kensington.”