How many cities do you know that will willingly close their main intersections at rush hour on a Friday night so people can have a party? Sure, Philadelphia closed down blocks at a time so the Republicans could travel from their hotels to their staged sham of a convention at the First Union Center, but we’re talking about doing something fun for ordinary people like us.

On the first Friday of each month during this summer season, Harrisburg has blocked off Second Street from Market to Walnut, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and thrown a party, complete with food and entertainment.

We went to the East Meets West program on August 4 primarily because my wife plays keyboard with Old World Folk Band and they were performing. We’re now sorry we missed the earlier bashes; that’s a lapse that won’t happen again.

We arrived as Polka Plus was on stage performing in front of the City Government Center. Some people were sitting in rows of chairs set up in the middle of the square in front of the stage, but others were actually polka-ing up and down Second Street.

Food vendors were strategically stationed along the street and we gladly headed for the Passage to India tables and purchased an exotically delicious and inexpensive meal.

While we waited for Old World’s turn on stage, there was continuous entertainment, all from the East Meets West theme. There were Korean dancers, a Tai Chi demonstration, music and dance from India, and a Korean fashion show. The program moved right along, capably hosted by personalities from WHP radio.

Following the Old World Folk Band 45-minute set, the stage was turned over to performers playing music from Bulgaria. And there were more countries still to be represented.

At one point, Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed took the stage to welcome the crowd and again hammer on one of his favorite themes — the foolishness of those who say there’s nothing to do in Harrisburg in the evening.

The Mayor said that while the First Friday series had been programmed as a way to start the new century (or end the last one, depending on how you view Y2K), it has been so successful that the city will be looking for ways to continue it into the future. And so it should.

From the major holiday events in Riverfront Park to the activities and entertainment at Reservoir Park and Italian Lake, Harrisburg has done more than most communities its size to provide entertainment for its residents and for a much wider audience. And it has done it in a relaxed, casual, and friendly way that makes it easier for people who have been phobic about crossing the Wade and Market Street bridges to see that there are many reasons to keep coming here.

The crowd at First Friday is friendly and welcoming, the police are present to provide reassurance in a laid back, helpful and accepting way, and the city staff and sponsors make it easy for the entertainers, vendors, and audience to have a good time. If you haven’t checked out Harrisburg’s downtown food and entertainment scene, it’s time you did.