JAC Management Group, Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, Wean Park and WesBanco Announce the 2026 WesBanco Community Event Series and introduce new YO Nights! Downtown Business Takeover
YOUNGSTOWN, OH — JAC Management Group, the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, Wean Park and WesBanco are proud to announce the return of the 2026 WesBanco Community Event Series. The annual series will once again bring community-focused entertainment to downtown Youngstown throughout the summer season with a variety of live music, cultural programming and special events designed to bring the community together in Wean Park and at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.
As part of the WesBanco Community Series, we are excited to introduce “YO Nights! Downtown Business Takeover,” an initiative specifically designed to support and showcase downtown Youngstown businesses throughout the season while creating additional activity, energy, and engagement between the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, Wean Park and downtown Youngstown.
The YO Nights! initiative is a collaboration between JAC Management Group and the City of Youngstown Administration focused on strengthening the connection between Wean Park, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, and the downtown business community through coordinated events and promotions.
Nine downtown businesses have signed on to participate in the inaugural series. Each participating business will not only promote its individual event night but also help market the YO Nights! series as a whole. This collaborative approach is intended to drive increased foot traffic, encourage visitors to explore downtown Youngstown, and create a stronger sense of community engagement throughout the season.
Thanks to the generosity of WesBanco, there is no cost for businesses to participate in the program. More importantly, the structure of the initiative is designed to directly benefit participating businesses by creating opportunities to generate revenue through food sales and a share of beverage sales during their featured nights. This gives each business a meaningful incentive to actively promote and invest in the success of both their individual event and the overall series. Additionally, each event will showcase local music artists, uplifting the amazing local arts and culture community that we have.
By intentionally connecting Amphitheatre programming with downtown establishments, YO Nights! is designed to create economic impact for local businesses while enhancing the overall visitor experience in downtown Youngstown.
“We’re excited to officially announce this year’s WesBanco Community Series and introduce the YO Nights! Downtown Business Takeover. This is the perfect opportunity for local businesses to be a part of the energy and activity happening downtown while showcasing their business,” said Jordan Ryan, Vice President of JAC Management Group. “Beyond this series, JAC Live and JAC Management Group are proud to help create a summer filled with entertainment and events every weekend beginning June 6 with AEW at the Covelli Centre and continuing through October. The only pause is during the first weekend of August because the city will be celebrating the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest.”
The WesBanco Community Event Series begins on June 19th with the Juneteenth Drone Show and continues throughout the summer with seven YO Nights, Ignite the Night Youngstown featuring the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Youngstown Wine and Jazz and the annual Non-Violence Parade & Rally. City officials say the series continues to showcase the positive momentum and partnerships helping energize downtown Youngstown.
“YO Nights serves as a great opportunity to collaborate with local businesses and performing artists while bringing more energy and activity downtown,” said David Labra, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Youngstown. “The City of Youngstown is proud to partner with JAC and WesBanco to showcase local talent and highlight the bars, restaurants, and small businesses that make our community unique.”
Participating businesses involved in the YO Night takeover series will also help create unique experiences throughout the summer while highlighting the restaurants, bars and establishments that continue to shape downtown Youngstown’s nightlife and entertainment scene.
“Casa Di Canzonetta is thrilled to partner with YO Nights at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, a collaboration that elevates Downtown Youngstown’s nightlife and cultural appeal. YO Nights provides the perfect platform for Casa Di Canzonetta to showcase our culinary passion, while supporting cross-promotion with other downtown partners to boost foot traffic and economic activity,” says Mark Canzonetta, owner of Casa Di Canzonetta.
In addition to the WesBanco Community Event Series programming at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and Wean Park, JAC Management and JAC Live will produce an event every weekend throughout the summer into October. Beginning June 6 with AEW at the Covelli Centre, the season will feature a variety of events and experiences across downtown venues. Summer weekends will include Simply Slavic, Y-Live at YSU’s Stambaugh Stadium, performances and events at DeYor Performing Arts Center, and additional programming designed to bring visitors downtown throughout the season. Fans attending Y-Live can also expect activity and added experiences downtown leading into the weekend, strengthening connections with downtown businesses. Programming and events will continue through October, except for the August 1 weekend as downtown attention turns toward the annual Greater Italian Fest.
2026 WESBANCO COMMUNITY SERIES SCHEDULE
June 19
Juneteenth Drone Show
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
June 20
YO NIGHT ft. Y-Town Artists
Downtown Business Takeover: Twisted Roots
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
July 2
YO NIGHT ft. RDNA
Downtown Business Takeover: The Federal
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
July 5
Ignite the Night Youngstown ft. Youngstown Symphony Orchestra
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
July 17
YO NIGHT ft. Geo C & Tha Storm
Downtown Business Takeover: V2
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
July 25
Youngstown Wine and Jazz
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
August 7
YO NIGHT ft. No Funk No Justice
Downtown Business Takeover: Varsity Club & Draught House
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
August 14
YO NIGHT ft. TBA
Downtown Business Takeover: Casa di Canzonetta
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
August 21
YO NIGHT ft. Rick Ward Project
Downtown Business Takeover: Avalon Downtown & The Social
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
September 4
YO NIGHT ft. TBA
Downtown Business Takeover: Penguin City Brewery
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
October 4
Non-Violence Parade & Rally
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre / Wean Park
Additional event details, times and announcements will be released throughout the summer through the official social media pages and websites of the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and Wean Park.
