Chamber Business Connection Vol. 1, Issue 11 | Page 8

Arts in the Alley -
A Community Tradition
Marilyn Reiner has been the Events Manager at the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce for 14 years. During
that time, she’s been instrumental in organizing various parts of Arts in the Alley, as well as all of the other
Chamber events – though you won’t likely hear her talk about her own work. For Reiner, Arts in the Alley is all
about community.
“Arts in the Alley was created to highlight Grove City,” she says with a smile. “It’s an honor to be involved with an
event that has such a long and rich tradition, an event that has helped grow Grove City over time.”
What many people don’t realize is just how community focused Arts in the Alley is. Reiner explained how she’s
worked to create a Grove City focus though the festival.
“Nearly all of our infrastructure comes from Grove City businesses,” she says. “From our Heartland Stage to the
tents and even the porta-potties,” Reiner says through a laugh, “…we try to source as many of our supplies as we
can from businesses inside of Grove City.”
Even the food provided at Arts in the Alley helps give back to the community. In an area where many festivals are
dominated by food trucks, you won’t likely find one at Arts in the Alley.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love food trucks!” Reiner says. “But we wanted a chance to showcase what Grove City can
cook! All of our festival food comes from non-profit organizations from around Grove City.”
She explains that all of this focus on Grove City businesses and non-profits is a perfect fit for the festival.
“We don’t charge admission for Arts in the Alley,” she says. “By showcasing our Grove City community, we can
keep costs down. We get to have our cake and eat it too – because we put on a large, fantastic and reasonable
show that helps our local businesses and community thrive.”
CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION
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