INCORRECT Gladstone’s Old Fashioned Christmas

Where will your project take place?

Delta Ave Business District within the City of Gladstone

Briefly Describe Your Project Idea:

The DDA plans to sponsor the Old Fashioned Christmas on Delta Ave to bring our community and visitors together to kick-off the holiday season. This event invites all businesses within the DDA district to participate by providing family friendly holiday activities along main-street for the public.

Why does your community need this project?

The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has moved away from event planning due to reduced revenue within the district, funding other large project initiatives, and limited staff availability. The Old Fashioned Christmas is the ONLY city wide event sponsored by our DDA and it has such a positive impact of our business district.

Each business has an opportunity to engage with the both local residents and visitors that are home for the holidays, opening their doors to community members whom have never had an opportunity or reason to enter their storefront before.
– Young children that have never been introduced to the performing arts get an opportunity to enter a dance studio to write a letter to Santa.
– The public gets an opportunity to meet the City Mayor during the lighting of the City’s Christmas Tree
– Free meals and goodies are offered at many of the participating businesses
– Visitors get a tour of our community offerings while riding the holiday wagon to each participating location

The event provides exposure for our downtown businesses, local artists, and participating churches while also providing our public a free family friendly activity with many goodies to enjoy. Memories are made at the Old Fashioned Christmas each year, and it bring a sense of nostalgia to those who are visiting home for Thanksgiving. This is essential as we consider marketing our community as a beautiful and safe place to raise a family.

What do you hope to achieve through this project?

Exposure for our city!
– Encourage new businesses to move into the district
– Members of the public putting a face to name with our City Commission
– Utilizing this event to market our community with visitors

Exposure for our downtown businesses!
– A local artist introducing themselves to a retail store owner proposing the idea of selling their items on consignment
– An increase in dog training sign-ups after the public visits D&D Dog Dynamics
– Connecting someone in chronic pain with one of our chiropractor providers after having a chance to meet face-to-face
– Dance studio registration rates increase from young visitors who came in to write a letter to Santa but left with a ignited interest in the performing arts
– Gift card purchases for the holidays at our local restaurants
– Gym membership sign-ups after touring the facility
– Small business owners having insightful conversations with an insurance firm in our downtown district