Ugly sweaters, basketball, and strawberries
Also, Sycamore and Dixon closed; MUFF seeking donations
This article is brought to you by the Kokomo Family YMCA. Two new Active Older Adults classes are now available for 2025! Join us on Wednesday mornings for Silver Sneakers Classic and Thursday mornings for Boom Move Silver Sneakers.
Whether you're experienced or a beginner, our Y Active Older Adult fitness classes keep you active! As we age, we can lose bone density, balance, and coordination, but strength training can help prevent these issues. Our classes focus on building muscle strength, endurance, and mobility, making everyday activities easier and improving your overall well-being.
Check out our schedule for both land and water options, including Chair Yoga, Line Dancing, and Making Waves. There's something for everyone: https://kokomoymca.org/schedules/
Silver Sneakers Classic: Wednesdays in Studio 4 at 11:30 AM
BOOM Move: Thursdays in Studio 4 at 10:30 AM
Downtown Kokomo will continue to welcome visitors for First Friday, a series of events that brings crowds to downtown shops, restaurants and public art attractions on select months of the year.
The event, hosted by the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, features a monthly theme and family-friendly activities on the first Friday of each month. This year, the organization is bringing new and returning themes to the popular event.
One of the new themes for 2025 is “Get Schooled” for August. This back-to-school celebration encourages guests to show off their school spirit and learn about exciting subjects taught by local businesses, organizations and artists.
“I have always viewed First Friday as the perfect opportunity to meet neighbors, admire art and experience a deeper sense of community while learning something new,” said Susan Alexander, downtown initiatives manager for the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance. “It’s exciting to gather with friends and family to celebrate what Kokomo has to offer.”
A few themes will be familiar to regular First Friday guests, such as October’s Masquerade, where guests of all ages can dress in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating at some of their favorite downtown businesses.
While some of the First Friday events are centered around an upcoming holiday or occasion, some are focused on the vibrant art scene in Kokomo. Guests can create art projects during Art Task in May or experience downtown Kokomo’s public art and local creativity during Art Walk in September.
Returning in 2025 is First Friday After Hours, a continuation of the festivities designed for the adult crowd. When the family-friendly portion ends after 8 p.m., guests ages 21 and older can indulge in the nightlife of downtown Kokomo by enjoying live entertainment, bars, pubs and extended shopping.
What makes First Friday special is local businesses and artists from throughout the community get involved. Those looking for an opportunity to represent their services to the community are welcome sign up for free on FirstFridayKokomo.com. Businesses and artists who would like to participate this year but do not have a downtown location are encouraged to partner with a downtown business to host their activities.
The initial First Friday event of the year will be on Friday, March 7. Events will run from March to December, with the exception of July in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
More information, including details on each theme and how to participate, may be found on FirstFridayKokomo.com or via the First Friday Kokomo Facebook page.
Street closure at Sycamore and Dixon
Beginning Monday, Feb. 3, westbound traffic on Sycamore Street will be closed at Dixon Road for sewer repairs. Also, Dixon Road’s northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at Sycamore Street.
Trucks and thru traffic westbound on Sycamore should detour at Berkley Road. This project is expected to last for three days, weather permitting. Questions should be directed to Darren Metz at 765-456-7400.
MUFF seeking donations
The Howard County Ministerial Association, in the fall of 1983, began MUFF - Ministerial Utility Fuel Fund, to centralize the giving of churches, organizations, and individuals to help people with utilities - especially deposits, which township trustees cannot pay.
This fund began with the management within the Ministerial Association. In 2012, MUFF moved client screening to United Way Information and Referral. The Kokomo Rescue Mission was willing to be the treasurer of MUFF, and we thank them all for their work throughout the years.
In 2024, with the retirement of Debbie Faunce and David Boss, the accounting of the funds needed to find a new home. United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties has agreed to be the keeper of the funds and continues to have United Way Information and Referral accept and evaluate the clients needing this assistance.
Any contribution to MUFF is greatly appreciated. Please mail contributions to Russiaville Community Outreach (RCO), memo MUFF, P.O. Box 296, Russiaville, IN 46978. Any questions, contact HCMA Treasurer, Rev. Ned Sutherland, 765-427-2494.