How to Host the Best Street Fairs

Today, when people stroll down the middle of a city street on street fair day, with no auto or bus traffic, they have a sense of ownership, not normally granted on just any day. The best street fairs take over the road right-of-way, and pedestrians rule. An ordinary shopping day becomes extraordinary!

Street fairs feature colorful, generally local vendors, as well as entertaining activities that provide a tantalizing glimpse of experiences yet to be discovered. People see your downtown at its absolute best, most vibrant and fun.Many associations and groups that organize around a neighborhood want to establish an identity.

Once established, street fairs help brand a district. Branding plays a significant role in creative marketing. It identifies the shopping district, main street, or business community - critical for small businesses. Creative marketing and management is the only way to make small businesses profitable.

Hosting annual street fairs entices new people to come to an area. They will see and hear signs of triumph all around them. They will make new experiences, enjoy good tastes and feel a part of shared group activities that are fun and engaging. New visitors make new customers!

After meeting with a new group last month, I was impressed how they had created a unique venue that was not represented any place else in Oregon (or the world). This group has a unique opportunity to host an event that meets the needs of their business district, showcases their main street and identifies the spirit of their community's history.