12. Downtown Mars attracts 2 new businesses opening in 2018
Stick City Brewing started to move in and re-invent the former fire department building into a brewery to open in the first quarter of 2018. At the other end of town in the former Sweet House Shop will become The Peach Tree Creamery & Bakery. They started renovations and have planned to open after the first of the year. The revitalization is happening for Grand Avenue.
11. 25-Foot Christmas Tree added to downtown for 2017
Thanks to Josh Zimmerman, RichMar Rotary, and Mars Bank, the borough had a large Christmas Tree in the downtown area again. A tree stand was custom-made by J W Fey Steel Fabricating Co to hold a 25-foot-tree. Josh found a tree that we purchased with contributions from rotary and the bank. Josh and Public Works helped to set-up the tree. The tree helped kick of the Christmas season during Light Up Night on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
10. Josh Zimmerman and the first Artisan Dinner on Pittsburgh Street
A new event appeared on the scene the third Thursday in August as an evening of food, music, and drink celebrated the approaching end of summer and the harvest season. Good local food was greatly appreciated!
9. The tradition continued with a successful July 4th Celebration
A parade that was almost an hour-long combined with good food and fireworks made for an enjoyable small town celebration of our country’s birthday.
8. Largest Applefest in recent history with great weather!
Lots of people, a nice cross-section of vendors, a larger assortment of apple goodies, and entertainment made for a great time in Mars. Thank you for the RichMar Rotary in their coordinating and promotion of this long-standing event.
7. New Fire District Building Opens
From out of the original Mars & Valencia Fire Departments, established for the area to keep it safe, emerged a new building to house Adams Area Fire District, now serving Adams Twp., Mars, Valencia, and Seven Fields. This is a state-of-the-art facility that the area can be delighted in and the trained volunteers who are a real tribute to people working together for making their communities safe.
6. Lincoln Avenue continues to be up-graded and is 75 percent completed
It has been an on-going goal of Council and Public Works, to replace the old brick street after the new sewer lines were installed and the Public Works department finishes installing new water lines. There is just a short section to complete the work in the up-coming 2018 construction season.
5. The Peters Building facade is painted prior to Mars New Year
A face-lift to the tallest building on Grand Avenue came right before the Mars New Year celebration in late April. A big thanks to owner Ernie Kuhs for updating the building. It furthered the conversation to explore financial help for other property owner upgrades in the near future.
4. Second Mars New Year celebration and NASA returns
The second celebration of the planet Mars’ new year on earth in Mars, PA happened in early May. We greatly appreciate the many sponsors, but it couldn’t have happened without Butler County Tourism and First Energy support to the “Meet the Mars Challenge” for students involved in STEAM education. Next Mars New Year will be celebrated in 2019!
3. Library remains in Mars Borough
The Mars Area Public Library board proposed to build a new library in neighboring Adams Twp. Public outcry had the library remain in its present location in Mars. The Council and various interested residents continue to make a case for the library staying in Mars.
2. Council approves first tax hike in 20 years
The need for increased support to the fire department, library, upgrades to old infrastructure, and overdue staff salary increases were the main need for a tax hike in 2018. It was a difficult decision as your government leaders live in the community and feel the impact of increased taxes too.
1. Mars voters turn town from dry to wet in the May election
Since prohibition there was always a question of rather Mars was a dry or wet town. Mars never voted to be dry or wet but because of no action remained dry until the May 2017 election when registered voters of Mars Borough voted on a referendum and turned the town wet! Revised zoning and parking for the town has been proposed & planned to usher in a new day with alcohol produced and sold in our town.