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Increasing those partnerships is a major goal for the coming
year, Tillman said, citing Bev Smith Automotive’s sponsorship
of the combined Sandy Shoes Festival and Taste of the
Sea, which allowed the events to expand and tripled attendance
this year.
“It all came together and it was just magic,” Tillman says.
Sandy Shoes, an old-time festival, was restarted a few years
ago after a long hiatus, but attendance was decreasing until
the auto dealer jumped in to help.
“These strong partnerships enable us to do the things we
do to draw people downtown,” she says, noting that Budweiser
and Coca-Cola, along with many other large and small
businesses, pitched in over the years to assist with a variety
of events. “It is key to our success.”
New and expanded events are at the top of the “future” list
for Main Street.
Proof that bringing people downtown is a major factor
in the area’s renaissance comes from Friday Fest, kicked off
by first Main Street Manager Tom Kindred Jr. in 1989 and
imitated by other Main Street organizations all over the state.
It now draws thousands to downtown once a month — after
a beginning which Kindred recalled was attended only by
himself, his family, and a few friends.
Volunteers like Sue Dannahower, who spearheaded the
wildly successful Halloween Ghost Walk, complete with
historical figures in costume, and who now is conducting the
historical Trolley Tours once a month, helped turn downtown
into a vibrant center of activity for the entire county, Tillman
says. The trolley tours draw repeat customers and are selling
out because each tour is different.
“We are always thinking about new events, like the big
Ellyse Trethric
The Downtown Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market is a favorite, drawing thousands
of people every Saturday morning. >>
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