It's been a tough few months for downtown Youngstown following the deadly gas explosion at the Realty Building. Now that downtown is working its way back up, city officials say this calls for a celebration.

Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown alongside the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber and JAC Management announced a downtown party with a free concert featuring local and regional acts.

"Through all those impossible situations, we have now made it possible for us to be able to once again be able to congregate and gather downtown to support our downtown businesses," Julius Oliver, Youngstown First Ward Councilman said. 

JAC Management President and CEO Eric Ryan says the free concert called "The Open" will take place at the corner of Federal and Phelps Street on Saturday, October 19.

"We have the artists, we have the production, we're bringing in video boards so we can be watching some football and some other things going on. It's a party downtown," Ryan said.

The event will start at noon and the lineup of artists includes Howard Howell, Black Rose, Youngstown's House Band and Red Wanting Blue.

"We're really proud that we have all genres spoken for and something for everybody," Ryan said.

The Oh Wow! Science Center will also be offering family-friendly entertainment and downtown restaurants will be the only ones serving food to encourage guests to support them.

In order to keep this event free to the public, sponsors like 717 Credit Union, United Way of Youngstown, Premier Bank and The Youngstown Foundation stepped up to support the event monetarily. 

"This is not just a 'one stop' and we're going to complete it. This is our next stop," Brown said. "We're repairing, we're restoring, but we've gotta rebuild our Downtown Youngstown," he said.

In addition to the party, there are many other events going on downtown and its surrounding area October 19 including the Youngstown Film Festival, a YSU football game, Rocky Horror Picture Show at Penguin City Brewing and a Youngstown Phantoms hockey game at the Covelli Centre.

"So on October 19, Downtown Youngstown is going to be the place to be," said 717 Credit Union President and CEO John Demmler.