Today's new car show and sidewalk sale is the beginning of a long-term effort to revitalize downtown Clarksburg.
The show and sale is sponsored by Greater Clarksburg Associates and will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Main Street between Third and Fifth streets, said Marsha Viglianco, coordinator of the event for GCA.
Five auto dealers will each display 10 new cars or trucks: Country Club Chrysler-Plymouth, Star Motor Co., Bob Trickett Cadillac-Pontiac Inc., John Oliverio Suzuki and Chenoweth Ford.
Several other businesses, including James & Law Co., Andrew & Ballard Book Cellar, Precious Garmets, The Ordinary and the Bluebird Store, are expected to participate in the sidewalk sale.
Also, non-profit groups are welcome to set up information tables, Viglianco said.
"I think there will be some good deals," she said. "I hope people will come out and browse around."
Viglianco said businesspeople who participate in Greater Clarksburg Associates are working to schedule monthly events to generate activity in the downtown area.
Members are working to schedule an art show in May. They also hope to provide entertainment on the courthouse plaza during future events.
"We're not trying to do anything great or fantastic, we're just trying to generate interest in downtown," Viglianco said. "I think we always have to try new things to get new people out in downtown, and we hope to do something different each month."
Main Street between Third and Fifth streets will be closed to traffic between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. today. During that time, traffic will be re-routed onto Washington Avenue.
