CARLISLE, PA (June 28, 2012) - CenturyLink is sponsoring the third in a series of five downtown Carlisle First Friday events on Friday, July 6 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.Celebrating our great town with a "History Walk" will be the theme for the July event. Downtown businesses will be celebrating many of our great country's centuries (40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, etc.) with past photos of their businesses, period dress, decorations, activities, store discounts, refreshments, entertainment and much more to help participants take a trip down memory lane from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Two historic walking tours in Downtown Carlisle have also been planned and include:

• Civil War Walking Tour by Jane Black and Mark Scheneman, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. will begin in front of the New Courthouse in Downtown Carlisle. Tour will begin with the McClintock Riot on Liberty Alley, then the story of the Shelling of Carlisle on July 1, 1863, followed by the Civil War Soldiers Monument in Veteran's Square and to conclude with various Civil War era buildings down West High Street. Come out and enjoy the history of Carlisle!

• "Wicked Walk" Carlisle Walking Tour by Joseph D. Cress - The fourth book "Wicked Carlisle: The Dark Side of the Cumberland Valley" by Joe Cress, senior staff reporter at The Sentinel will be out in time for this July's First Friday. Meet Joe, at History on High – The Shop for his "Wicked Walk" tours at 5:30 and 6:30 pm. It's free; book signing to follow. Tours will feature stories of local true crime from his latest book and from "Murder & Mayhem in Cumberland County." Space on each tour is limited to the first thirteen people who sign up at the store. Store hours are Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the store at 717-249-1626 or Cress at 717-324-3921. Copies of Wicked Carlisle will be on sale during First Friday and the author will be available to sign and personalize each book sold.

Riding the enthusiasm of May and June's First Friday, the July 6 event will again encompass all of downtown Carlisle. "Although June's First Friday inclement weather kept activities indoors, Downtown Carlisle businesses still celebrated the evening with much success," stated Ed Bidelspach, President of the DCA. Forty downtown merchants provided entertainment and special pricing for the May and June event, and the DCA expects similar numbers in July. "We already have walking tours of Historical Downtown Carlisle planned, and members of our community will be in period dress throughout the downtown," continued Bidelspach.

CenturyLink First Friday sponsor representative Debby Keyser added "We are thrilled to be sponsoring yet another First Friday this season and we are expecting downtown to be full of excitement on July 6 with CenturyLink's First Friday and the annual Carlisle Summerfair activities!"

The following is a list of participating businesses and their activities for July 6. Stop by the Downtown Carlisle Association's/LoveCarlisle.com's information booth at High and Hanover to get your official First Fridays downtown guide map with all new updates and a small DCA gift while supplies last. First Friday activity updates will be posted on the LoveCarlisle.com website and Love Carlisle's facebook page.

July First Friday Historic Tours

• Civil War Walking Tour by Jane Black and Mark Scheneman, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. will begin in front of the New Courthouse in Downtown Carlisle. Tour will begin with the McClintock Riot on Liberty Alley, then the story of the Shelling of Carlisle on July 1, 1863, followed by the Civil War Soldiers Monument in Veteran's Square and to conclude with various Civil War era buildings down West High Street. Come out and enjoy the history of Carlisle!

• "Wicked Walk" Carlisle Walking Tour by Joseph D. Cress - The fourth book "Wicked Carlisle: The Dark Side of the Cumberland Valley" by Joe Cress, senior staff reporter at The Sentinel will be out in time for this July's First Friday. Meet Joe, at History on High – The Shop for his "Wicked Walk" tours at 5:30 and 6:30 pm. It's free; book signing to follow. Tours will feature stories of local true crime from his latest book and from "Murder & Mayhem in Cumberland County." Space on each tour is limited to the first thirteen people who sign up at the store. Store hours are Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the store at 717-249-1626 or Cress at 717-324-3921. Copies of Wicked Carlisle will be on sale during First Friday and the author will be available to sign and personalize each book sold.

DCA Event Information Tent – High and Hanover

• Antique Fire Trucks –These antique fire trucks will be on display from 5 to 8 p.m.

Artist Market of Pomfret St. – 16 West Pomfret Street – Will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will offer 20% off Kim Henson Prints and Nettie Price Prints, 10% off Monkey Fart and Lavender Lotion from Chrissy Candle Creations and 25% copper jewelry by Creek Reflections.

Carlisle Area Family Life Center – 155 North Hanover Street – Will host an Open House from 5 to 8 p.m. with tours, refreshments and children's activities.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center – 19 North Hanover Street – In the Gallery:

• "Gifts of The Imagination" an exhibit of mixed media works on paper by Baltimore artist Joan Kolker and jewelry designs in silver by Carlisle artist Melissa Colucci.

• Featured artist: Paintings by Madeline Reilly, watercolors and acrylics.

• The Member's Sales Gallery features works by local and regional artists: jewelry, ceramics, photography and paintings.

• From 5 to 7 p.m.: For kids and adults, CALC will have a "do it yourself" Andy Warhol inspired art project featuring the famous (and historical) Molly Pitcher!

Carlisle Bakery – 35 South Hanover Street – Will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Take a step back in time at the Carlisle Bakery. Pictures will be displayed of historic downtown Carlisle on the tables, and Carlisle Bakery staff will be dressed for the historical occasion.

• Also, enter your dog to win a gift basket from the Carlisle Bakery. Come up with a unique idea on how to dress your dog to fit the historical theme. Pictures will be taken of your dogs from 1 to 3 p.m. on July 6 in front of Carlisle Bakery. Contest begins at 5 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. Winner will be announced at 8 p.m. that evening. Winner does not have to be present to win. All donations will be going towards the Carlisle Area Dog Park Association.

Carlisle Fire Department – Will celebrate First Friday at the Square greeting attendees and participants while letting the kiddos check out the Fire Trucks!

Carlisle Theatre – 44 West High Street – At 7 p.m. the Summerfair Musical – The Pajama Game. Donations accepted.

Carlisle Vault – 1 North Hanover Street – From 5 to 8 p.m. will be open for tours.

The ClothesVine – 134 West High Street – Will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will serve wine and refreshments during the First Friday Event.

Comfort Suites – 10 South Hanover Street – From 5 to 11 p.m. will have specialty drinks and dining on the patio.

Cumberland County Historical Society – 21 North Pitt Street – Museum will be open with the exhibit "Pine Grove: A Lasting Legacy".

F&M Trust – 14 North Hanover Street – Will be open from 5 to 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church – 2 A North Hanover Street – The North Hanover sanctuary doors will be open for people to view the inside of the church while someone will be available to answer questions and hand-out history related information.

Georgie Lou's Retro Candy & Gifts – 22 North Pitt Street – Will be open until 8 p.m. and will have candy sampling and sales during the First Friday Event.

"Green Door"/Central PA Swing Dance Club – 14 East North Street – Will provide swing or ballroom dance lessons, free, beginning every half hour from 5 to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will also be provided.

History on High – The Shop – 33 West High Street – Will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature:

• Early American Coverlets Q & A's - Local artisan Gay McGeary, coverlet weaver will share her research on early American coverlets via a slide presentation and mini exhibit of early coverlets. Slide shows will begin at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Come and learn how our forefathers used patterns they brought with them as linen weavers from Germany and develop artistic coverings for their beds using stars in red, white and blue in a variety of different techniques.

Gay will be happy to answer questions about weaving and the patterns throughout the evening. If you have an antique coverlet you would like her to identify, bring it along. She also presents workshops and lectures on her research and weaving of coverlets on request.

• "Wicked Walk" Carlisle Walking Tour by Joseph D. Cress - The fourth book "Wicked Carlisle: The Dark Side of the Cumberland Valley" by Joe Cress, senior staff reporter at The Sentinel will be out in time for our July's First Friday.

Meet Joe, at History on High – The Shop for his "Wicked Walk" tours at 5:30 and 6:30 pm. It's free; book signing to follow. Tours will feature stories of local true crime from his latest book and from "Murder & Mayhem in Cumberland County." Space on each tour is limited to the first thirteen people who sign up at the store. Store hours are Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the store at 717-249-1626 or Cress at 717-324-3921. Copies of Wicked Carlisle will be on sale during First Friday and the author will be available to sign and personalize each book sold.

K. Marie & Co. – 11 South Hanover Street – Will be open until 8 p.m. with an Anniversary Sale featuring 20% off storewide.

Lili's Place – 10 West Pomfret Street – Bring a friend and purchase a soup and sandwich and purchase another soup and sandwich for half price. The lesser of the two will be the half price.

Marjorie's Gems – 21 West Pomfret Street – Will be hosting Granite Etching Artist Doug Waltz working in his media, remembering Carlisle History with a Vintage Photo Postcard Collection. Will also have COOL DOWN STATION, sponsored by Susquehanna Bank.

Market Cross Pub & Brewery – 113 North Hanover Street –Brewery Tour at 6 p.m. and Nate Myers & The Aces at 9:30 p.m.

Pat Craig Studios – 30 West Pomfret Street – Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will have 20% off all Beering Jewelry and look for great deals at our sidewalk sales tables (weather permitting)!

Pealers Flower Shop – 56 West High Street – Will be open until 7 p.m. and will have a special on historical and vintage flowers. Will celebrate the first Pealers Flowers opening in Camp Hill, PA in 1920 with period dress and the history and meaning of the flowers selected for the 1920's.

Sadler Health Center – 100 North Hanover Street – Will display photos and information on the history of Sadler Health Center Corporation from its beginning as the Sadler Health Center Corporation Caring Center back in the 1920's.

• Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) checks will be available.

• Apples will be distributed and educational displays on diabetes, poison control and good nutrition hosted by AmeriHealth Mercy.

Simply Well – 28 South Pitt Street – Come out and enjoy free live music by Indian Summer Jars from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Kids Yoga will also be available, $10 per child; Ages 4-10 from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. and Ages 11-17 from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m.

So-Hi Books – 30 West Pomfret Street, 2nd Floor – Will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will have 15% off all book sales during First Friday event only. Look for great deals at our sidewalk sales table (weather permitting)!

215 Hair Studio – 141 North Hanover Street – Will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will have 10-15% off all services ALL day. FREE consultations on future services. Walk-ins welcome!

Trout Gallery at Dickinson College –Weiss Center for the Arts, 240 West High Street (between South West and South College Streets)

• 7:00-8:30 p.m. ParisArt Exhibition (free popcorn at the movie for Exhibition attendees).

• 8:30 p.m. Charade (1963) Movie Outdoors on the Weiss Center Lawn (Rain Site – Rubendall Recital Hall Weiss Center)

Union Fire Company Museum – 35 West Louther Street – Museum will be open for event.

Urban Market of Pomfret St. – 16 West Pomfret Street - Will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will offer $10 off a $50 or more purchase. Special 10% off of marked pieces of Ron Bouder Furniture, 10% off of selected pieces of Polish Pottery, $2.00 fun costume jewelry and a sidewalk sale of selected vintage and gently used items.

Valarie Moyer's Unique Dolls & Gifts – 152 North Hanover Street – Will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will feature coffee with Miss. Annie at Bubbie's Coffee Parlor and History of the "Pick a Ninny" – black dolls at Valarie Moyer's.

Whistlestop Bookshop – 129 West High Street – Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. will have a sidewalk sale.

Yarn Garden – 52 West Pomfret Street – Will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature a yarn spinning demonstration by Vicki Wingert.

The downtown Carlisle First Friday Series is organized by merchants, the Downtown Carlisle Association and sponsored by local community corporations. Designed to increase foot traffic in downtown, and heighten the awareness of shopping and dining, the First Friday Series has been an annual downtown series for the past eight years. In 2012 occurring on the First Friday's of May, June, July, August and September, the event has brought over 25,000 guests to downtown Carlisle.

The Downtown Carlisle Association is a main street development organization that markets and promotes the assets of the Carlisle Region for the benefit of downtown shopping, tourism, business recruitment and economic development. Through various tourism events, downtown beautification initiatives, retail recruitment and downtown residential revitalization, we make Downtown a great place to live, work, shop & play!