A pair of First Saturday events between rival business associations offers a unique experience in Newtown.

While Newtown area businesses are preparing for not one, but two, First Saturday events this weekend, organizers focus on catering to customers instead of “tension” between two local business associations.

The Newtown Corporation and the newly formed Newtown Borough Business Connection are behind the separate First Saturday celebrations that planners hope will promote area restaurants and retailers and become a successful tradition in Newtown Township and Newtown Borough.

NBBC’s First Saturday State Street event will feature live music, face painting, various discounts offered by participating businesses, sidewalk sales and an appearance by the Easter Bunny, all taking place between 1 and 5 p.m. this Saturday and every first Saturday of each month through October.

The Newtown Corp.’s rival event offers musicians, street performers, sidewalk sales, carriage rides and discounts at local restaurants. The plan is to unite the township and borough by including businesses located on both Sycamore Street and State Street.

First Saturday Newtown, as it is being called, will be held between noon and 7 p.m. every first Saturday, beginning this week until December.

Both organizations will provide many similar sales and attractions, and shoppers likely will stroll around town enjoying both events simultaneously.

All  businesses were welcomed to participate and close whenever they please . It’s a  really great event going on here in a fantastic little town.

For details about the Newtown Borough Business Connection’s First Saturday State Street, visit www.newtownbcc.org

For more information about Newtown Corp.’s First Saturday Newtown, visit www.allaboutnewtown.org