CAN DO, Inc., the CAN DO Community Foundation, the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress (DHAP), and the City of Hazleton concluded another season of free community programming at CAN DO Community Park, bringing residents and visitors to Downtown Hazleton for family-friendly entertainment, health and wellness activities, and an event recognizing the region’s first responders.
The series supports CAN DO’s broader commitment to Downtown Hazleton as an important component of the organization’s economic development strategy. Through continued investment, partnerships, and programming, CAN DO works alongside DHAP and other community organizations to support a vibrant Downtown while creating opportunities that bring people into the city’s Downtown District.
Throughout the summer, CAN DO worked with local businesses, industries, and community organizations that contributed sponsorships, products and services, and volunteer support. These partnerships helped keep events at CAN DO Community Park free and accessible while creating opportunities for companies and their employees to engage with the Greater Hazleton community.
Now in its second year, the Summer Movie Series returned to CAN DO Community Park with three free, family-friendly movie nights. New this year, the series featured a large LED screen in place of a traditional projection system, allowing movies to begin before sunset and offering earlier, more family-friendly start times for attendees with young children.
American Eagle Outfitters and Rusken Packaging, both located in Humboldt Industrial Park, engaged employees to assemble movie-themed goodie bags and materials, while the Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership provided additional support for giveaways. Amazon AVP1 provided outdoor games, Niagara Bottling donated bottled water, and the Hazleton Integration Project provided face painting at each event. Volunteers from Charis Academy and the CAN DO Student Action Committee also assisted throughout the series.
Local food and ice cream vendors further contributed to the movie nights, with Alta Presents Dante’s Inferno, Flaming Jalapeño, Joe’s Mini Doughnuts, La Tia Empanadas, Taqueria F. Santizo, Wicked Foods and Woods Ice Cream Truck participating throughout the summer.
Programming extended beyond the movie series, with local businesses, instructors and organizations helping to create additional opportunities for the community to gather Downtown. Free health and wellness activities included yoga led by Lisa Molendini of Yoga Flow with Lisa Mo, Zumba with Nahomy Galan of Zumba with Nay–NEPA and Nahomy’s Naturals, and Pilates with the Interlude Wellness fitness team, with a surprise visit from Slim’s Café.
The summer season concluded with a First Responders Appreciation Event, bringing local fire, police and emergency medical personnel to CAN DO Community Park and giving the community an opportunity to connect with those who serve the Greater Hazleton Area. Participating agencies included the Freeland and West Hazleton fire departments, Hazleton Fire and Police departments, Lehigh Valley Health Network–EMS Hazleton and Pennsylvania State Police. Capriotti’s Catering, Woods Ice Cream, and the Hazleton Integration Project also contributed to the event with free food and face painting for attendees.
Together, the summer programming reflects CAN DO’s continued commitment to Downtown Hazleton and its role in connecting the businesses and industries it serves with opportunities to support and engage with the broader community.
With the summer event season complete, community partners are now preparing for Hazleton for the Holidays and another season of activities in Downtown Hazleton. Details about upcoming holiday events will be announced at HazletonForTheHolidays.com.
For more information about CAN DO’s community events, contact CAN DO Marketing Communications Specialist Miguel Polanco at mpolanco@hazletoncando.com.
About CAN DO
CAN DO, Inc. is Greater Hazleton’s certified economic development organization, working to improve the quality of life in the Greater Hazleton Area through the creation and retention of employment opportunities. Since 1956, CAN DO has advanced economic growth through real estate development and the management of four business and industrial parks while providing business financing, entrepreneurial support, workforce development initiatives, and other resources that promote economic activity throughout the region.
For more information, visit hazletoncando.com.
