Arts in the Alley: Beginnings

Grove City’s most successful and longest running event and parade is Arts in the Alley, an event held in September each year sponsored by the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce. Arts in the Alley has grown to become a stand-alone event which has enjoyed healthy growth since its origin in 1980. The first Grove City Community Parade was held in 1990. At first, there was considerable opposition to the parade because there was a feeling it was inappropriate for a juried art show. That feeling evaporated when the parade was promoted as a living art creation. The parade eventually became known as the Arts in the Alley Parade. Parades have been held every year except in 2001 when it was cancelled following the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.