Downtown Youngstown was alive and well tonight... as the city hosted its first ever Downtown Dash and Fireworks show.  Valley residents were lining up by the dozens Thursday evening....all for a chance to take part in downtown Youngstown's first ever dash and fireworks show.

"WE'RE FEATURING 15 DIFFERENT BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN THE GENERAL DOWNTOWN AREA. WE HAVE SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATION TO TAKE YOU TO THE OUTLYING AREAS AND EACH BAR AND RESTAURANT THEY DO HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A UNIQUE KIND OF FEATURE, WHETHER ITS ENTERTAINMENT OR FOOD SPREAD."

The event was sponsored by the Youngstown Business Incubator and M7 Technologies and proceeds benefit the annual downtown cleanup effort...City Scape.

"FIRST STOP...ALRIGHT!...FIRST STOP."

And the rainy conditions didn't hold back the nearly 200 visitors.

"ABOUT HALF THE PLACES ON THE LIST I'VE NEVER BEEN. A FEW THEM ON THE MAIN STRIP DOWNTOWN WE DO FREQUENT OFTEN, BUT CHECK OUT SOME OF THE OLDER PLACES IN THE CITY AND SEE SOMETHING NEW."

"THEY'RE QUITE A FEW GOOD RESTAURANTS TO EAT DOWN HERE AND YOUNGSTOWN IS COMING BACK. THE TOWN IS PICKING UP DOWN HERE. SO I WANTED TO BE PART OF IT."

Organizers hope to build upon this year's great turnout.  It was a chance to celebrate the Fourth, but also highlight the best nightlife downtown has to offer.

"I HOPE TO MAKE THIS AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND GROW AND GROW AND MAKE THIS A NICE CELEBRATION EVERY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND."

This year's events concluded with a fireworks display at the Chevy center.