Formerly known as the Sidewalk Sale, this spring’s event added nonprofits and more artists and musicians, in addition to retailers

By Cameron Aalto, Ashland.News

A revamped and revitalized downtown event with an expanded program including a broader range of participants brought a bit of buzz to local sidewalks starting Friday and through the weekend.

The Ashland Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Ashland Sidewalk Celebration, the successor to what was formerly known as the Sidewalk Sale. The event again highlighted local downtown businesses, but with more participation from artists and community organizations.  

Dana Preston, membership and business director of the chamber, said the event has “always been a really fun opportunity for our retailers to put merchandise out in front of their businesses, things that maybe they’re discounting because they’re changing seasons, and that sort of thing.”

Preston says that this year, the Rediscover Downtown Task Force wanted to “take a look at the entire business makeup of downtown, really focus on shopping — and also all the different things that we can do to have fun.” 

Downtown business owners participated in the event by moving clearance items outside of their storefronts onto the sidewalk. Local store keeper of North and East Co. Angela Blackwell said that the event “definitely brings more people. We need the activity like this more often.” 

She said that the event is better for business and is also fun because “we don’t usually visit stores, and (with) everything out, you can definitely see more of what people are selling (and get a) sneak preview, that kind of thing.” She added that the businesses are able to connect with each other more, “especially in the morning time when it’s not very busy.”

One of the additions to the event this year was the inclusion of local businesses that do not have storefronts downtown. Preston says, “We invited businesses and community partners, like nonprofit organizations, that don’t necessarily have a business location in the downtown, to partner up with another organization or business in the downtown to get some exposure.” 

One of these businesses was Daughter of Wands Jewelry, owned by Tez Alvey.

Alvey partnered with The Crown Jewel to sell their materials and says that “for some of us who don’t have the income to have a storefront yet, it makes a huge difference to be sponsored by a business and get the chance to sell our product in an event like this. …. I’m really enjoying the chance to meet a lot of new people, see a lot of people I already know, and get my work out there in front of a bunch of new people.”

Jim Mohatt, owner of Lithia Park Shoes, said that “(if) you go back 20 (or) 30 years ago, the Sidewalk Sales were crazy.” He said they looked like “wall to wall people,” and that “it was really really busy back then.” He said that the event brought some customers to their business, but that “it doesn’t add up as well when you’re throwing out some stuff for $20.” 

He added that “The last two years have been much better than certainly our attempts following COVID, but even a couple years before COVID weren’t as good. It seems like there’s a lot more participation by merchants now, this year and last year.”

Preston says “we have so many new businesses in the downtown, so many new retailers, and we have been thinking for a while, how can we revamp this event?” 

One of the newest additions to East Main Street is Simply Sharpe Boutique, which held its opening day on Saturday. Owner Rocky Sharpe says that she didn’t know that the event was happening. “Actually, I didn’t really know it was happening,” she said, “but I just so happened to plan my grand opening on the same day.” She added, “I love that there’s so many things happening, businesses supporting each other, and just a lot of good things happening.”

She said, “everyone has welcomed me, and I’ve gotten to meet a lot of different people, business owners and the locals, people traveling, it’s been really great.”

In addition to storefront activities, the event welcomed local performers as a means to enhance the shopping experience. One of those performances was an opportunity to learn about and participate in Bollywood Dancing. Others included the chance to observe and meet artists like Nancy Wilkinson, Bill Scholer, Hot Copper Kettle, Tatjanna Juliet, and The Brothers Reed.

Another Sidewalk Celebration is planned to occur for September, but specific dates have not yet been set. For more information, visit ashlandchamber.com.

Ashland.news intern Cameron Aalto is a senior at Southern Oregon University. Email him at aaltoc@sou.edu.