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Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
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Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
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Celebrating all things canine at the Dog Days of Summer in Cardiff, California. © Cardiff 101 Main Street
If you’ve been to a Main Street recently, there is a good chance that you saw a dog — out for a walk, playing in the park, or curled up near a café table. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 44.6% of US households own a dog, and many of them are bringing their canine companion downtown. From design and infrastructure to promotions and partnerships, there are lots of ways we can make our Main Streets more inviting for dogs and dog owners. Here are six examples from seven Main Streets who welcome and celebrate their local furry friends.
Cardiff goes all out celebrating their four-legged friends with their Dog Days of Summer event. The annual event features a variety of dog-related vendors, rescue groups, pet adoption agencies, an agility course, dog contests, live music, food trucks, and more. People who arrive without a canine companion can head to Rescue Row, where they will find adoptable dogs from local rescue groups, as well as microchipping and health services from the San Diego Humane Society.
The event attracts around 7,000 attendees each year, making it the largest outdoor dog festival in Southern California. More than 70% of Cardiff businesses and residents participate in the event as vendors, sponsors, opportunity drawing supporters, volunteers, or attendees — impressive outcomes for the community of 12,000 residents.
A Starkville pup hits the “campaign trail.” © Starkville Main Street
Pet Mayor Buster Camp and Starkville Main Street present a donation to the humane society. © Starkville Main Street
Starkville invites their pets to participate in building a better downtown with their Pet Mayor program. This program helps build excitement while also providing an important source of funding for the Main Street organization. To select a Pet Mayor, pet owners nominate their cats or dogs to run for election. Nominated pets hit the ‘campaign trail’ and gather donations to earn their votes. The winning Pet Mayor serves as a downtown ambassador for two years — Starkville’s first Pet Mayor is Buster Camp, a long-beloved character in Starkville’s Cotton District.
“The project required minimal effort, but generated outstanding revenue,” said Paige Watson, Main Street Director at Starkville Main Street. In 2023, it generated $14,000 in just three weeks! These funds go towards maintenance and outdoor design projects, as well as a donation to the local humane society.”
Dogs love shopping locally in Warrensburg, Missouri. © Warrensburg Main Street
The phrase “man’s best friend” was first said in Warrensburg, Missouri, and Warrensburg Main Street is committed to making that a reality. Their downtown is full of dog-friendly design, including door clings identifying dog-friendly businesses, branded water bowls, and doggie bag stations. Their Design committee also has a dog-friendly downtown workplan. “Having an active workplan for this allows us to stay alert on logistics of having a dog-friendly downtown and keeps us budgeting for the next best thing,” said Jamie DeBacker, Executive Director at Warrensburg Main Street.
Warrensburg also uses special promotions to welcome and celebrate their four-legged friends. At their farmer’s market, they host two annual Dog Days where they invite a dog bakery, pet groomer, and animal shelter, as well as highlighting dog-themed items from vendors and offering a photo area and free dog toys made from recycled bags. They also host a patriotic Bike and Pet Parade where pet owners dress up their pets for the 4th of July.
Spectators cheer for a competitor in the K‑9 Keg Pull runs across the snow. © Deadwood History
For the past seven years, the K‑9 Keg Pull has drawn crowds and canines to Deadwood’s Main Street for an unforgettable event. This unique race — envisioned by Sarah Kryger, Deadwood Chamber Events Coordinator, and Bobby Rock, Deadwood Outlaw Square Manager — capitalizes on the excitement from the nearby annual snocross race to bring excitement and energy to downtown Deadwood. The event boasts high attendance, with an estimated 200 to 400 spectators braving every kind of winter weather to cheer on the canine racers as they drag empty kegs and smaller containers across a snowy track. Deadwood Main Street businesses join in the festivities by making their establishments pup-friendly, offering water and treats to the four-legged participants.
The event serves as a fundraiser for the Deadwood Main Street Initiative and Twin City Animal Shelter. With affordable registration of just $15 per racer, the event raises around $800 annually. Six weight classes ensure that every dog, from the tiniest terrier to the mightiest mastiff, has a chance to shine. Each year, around 40 to 70 enthusiastic canines of all sizes compete.
Downtown Franklin Association provides resources to help local businesses welcome pets. © Kris Rae
In 2017, Downtown Franklin Association launched their “Pets Welcome” business program in partnership with Better Cities for Pets. The program encourages downtown business owners to offer pet-friendly options. All businesses participating in the “Pets Welcome” business pilot received a toolkit of information and materials to make their businesses more welcoming to pets and pet parents. They also received a code of conduct for how pets should behave in stores, pet behavior management tips, and more. The pilot was a success, and Downtown Franklin Association continues to use these strategies to foster a pet-friendly downtown. As a result of this program, pet owners feel more comfortable bringing their furry friends downtown and business owners have the tools and knowledge to welcome pets in a way that is safe and comfortable.
Better Cities for Pets is a program from Mars Petcare that aims to create places for dogs and cats to live, visit, and play. Franklin was the first community to work with this program, and their success has inspired other cities to join, including Laguna Niguel, California, and St. Petersburg, Florida.
A member of the Macon Hype Hounds sits for a photo. © NewTown Macon
An Emporia Hype Hound poses with their owner. © Emporia Main Street
NewTown Macon created the Hype Hounds program, which invited local dogs to become downtown ambassadors who help promote Macon as a dog-friendly destination. Dogs (and their owners) visit dog-friendly businesses, restaurants, and bars, and pose to take photos for social media while wearing their Hype Hound bandanas.
“This initiative brings together dog lovers and their adorable pups to showcase the multitude of dog-friendly businesses, restaurants, and bars that add to the magic of Downtown Macon,” said Hailie Poppell Director of Marketing at NewTown Macon. This program also drives engagement on NewTown Macon’s social media channels. They have seen a 7% increase in the use of #downtownmacon since the program started.
Inspired by NewTown Macon’s session at the 2023 Main Street Now Conference, Emporia Main Street has developed their own Hype Hounds program. “We contacted Macon after the conference, talked through Hype Team specifics, and then implemented the Hype Team (human ambassadors) and Hype Hounds,” said Emporia Main Street Executive Director Casey Woods.
Beyond the Hype Hounds, Emporia Main Street has implemented water stations for dogs, utilized their Fabrication Lab to generate sponsored dog waste bag boxes downtown, and created a “pet-friendly” window cling for local businesses that welcome furry friends.
Welcoming pets is a great way to bring people downtown. From exciting events to business and design practices, these Main Streets provide strong examples of the strategies you can use to create a pet-friendly community in your district.
At the heart of thriving Main Streets are vibrant public spaces that unite people of all ages and backgrounds and enrich community life. And what better way to activate public spaces than through the power of free, live music?
Middlesboro, Kentucky © Levitt Foundation
Learn how Main Streets can tap into federal resources to improve transportation infrastructure, take down barriers, and improve access to key services.
Main Street America is proud to announce the release of a new resource to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
This Boston Main Street installed an innovative street mural to highlight crosswalks and improve pedestrian safety.
MSA President and CEO Erin Barnes explores how a holiday market in a public park brought a new focus on growing humanitarian needs in downtown city centers.
The RAISE program funds surface transportation projects with local and regional impact by enhancing safety, mobility, sustainability, and economic growth.
Streetscape improvements can make a big difference for Main Streets. © Grant Harper
Learn how Main Street America's work with the DOT's Thriving Communities Program is supporting transformative efforts with community partners like the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
Apply for federal funding to remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation infrastructure that creates barriers to community connectivity.
Art is a powerful tool for community change. Learn how the arts can improve community engagement, boost economic development, and connect with the Main Street Approach.
Streets play an important role in our downtown districts. Learn more about Main Street America's recent work with the Department of Transportation to promote vibrant and sustainable downtown roadways.
Learn how the Safe Streets and Roads for All program is providing grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
Streetscape in Denison, Texas. © Mel Climer — Climer Design
REV Birmingham and Woodlawn United share how they work to reenergize spaces and places in Birmingham, Alabama, through civic infrastructure projects in the city’s historic commercial corridors.
Learn how this Louisiana town has used an accessibility-first approach to build a welcoming and inclusive community.
Downtown Ruston, Louisiana. Photo by Henry McCoy.
Learn how the Little Five Points neighborhood of Atlanta uses this unique mural program to celebrate Valentine's Day and raise important funding for their work.
Learn how micromobility can increase access, equity, and inclusion in your Main Street with examples from local programs across the network.
This Washington Main Street is encouraging people to brave the rainy weather with their free umbrella share program.
Parking is a challenging problem for many Main Streets. We explored the arguments for and against free parking, and a method for conducting an inventory of parking in your downtown.
Miami, FL © Matt Alaniz
Learn how Bainbridge Island Downtown Association leverages their connection to the ferry to create a walkable and vibrant downtown.
Bainbridge Island, WA © Anna Carson
An innovative artistic project brings new life to the alleyways in Billings, Montana.
Billings, MT © Downtown Billings Alliance
In big cities and small towns, people face increasing danger when navigating communities on foot. As advocates for connected and walkable downtowns, Main Streets have a crucial role to play in increasing pedestrian safety.
Lansing, Michigan © Lansing 5:01
Learn how you can participate in the Thriving Communities program as a capacity builder or how you can receive support from the program.
To celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month, we explored three innovative and interesting parks-based projects and collaborations in Main Street communities.
Waterloo, Iowa, shares advice and lessons learned from their e-scooter program.
Learn how you can harness design principles and strategies to create a cooler, more welcoming downtown.
Main Street America was awarded $5.9 million to support 20 communities in the Main Streets Community of Practice through the Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities Program over the next two years.
The City of Leeds, AL welcomed a new downtown mural over the holidays that has brought a sense of excitement and anticipation for the continuing efforts to focus on the Leeds downtown district.
Leeds, AL © Jeremy Dove
What is more Iowan than turning grain bins into public art? Learn how Main Street Coon Rapids created these beautiful murals to celebrate their downtown.
Coon Rapids, IA © Main Street Coon Rapids
Pollinator gardens are fantastic ways to increase green space, promote sustainability, and educate your community on the local environment.
Crofton, MD © Kerry Kelly
The AARP Community Challenge program gives out quick-action grants to activate public spaces. Meet some of the Main Streets awarded grants through the program this year.
Learn how these outdoor microspaces can contribute to more vibrancy in our public spaces.
Chairman Emeritus Ed McMahon explores the power of place in creating spaces people love.
Boise, ID © christiannafzger
To support Georgia Main Streets throughout the recovery process and position them for long-term sustainability, Main Street America launched the Georgia Main Street Innovation Grant Program, made possible through generous support from The Williams Family Foundation of Georgia.
Thomasville, GA © Thomasville Main Street
Intentional placemaking has had many unexpected benefits for this Alabama town.
Wetumpka, AL © Jenny Sue Stubbs
We heard from organizations across the nation about the incredible impact their markets have had on community engagement, entrepreneur and small business support, and keeping their district vibrant.
Mount Airy Downtown, Inc., celebrated the return of their Market Street Arts and Entertainment District (MSA & ED) last weekend, as part of their pandemic recovery efforts.
Mount Airy, NC © Robbie Curlee
A vacant storefront is the perfect stage to creatively promote the available space or to showcase other businesses and events in the area.
Ripon, WI © RetailWorks, Inc
Interested in creating a StoryWalk in your downtown commercial district? Read on to learn more about installing a successful story walking trail.
In remembrance and in honor of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr., over 900 streets in the United States were named after him. Many are located predominantly in African American communities.
Milwaukee, WI © Historic King Drive BID
Dubbed the Blues Alley, the Ripley Main Street program plans to install murals of local pioneering Black blues artists, cutout guitars painted by local art students, and blues lyrics painted on the walls.
Ripley, MS © Ripley Main Street
Wayfinding guides people to places they seek but it also brings awareness to places they may have otherwise missed.
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
Main Street America partnered with OneMain Financial to create Made on Main Street.
Creating a historic or art walking tour is much more than simply a collection of pictures and descriptions.
Over 300 attendees enjoyed a family-friendly block party that celebrated the community and showcased Prosser's upcoming streetscape improvement project.
Cambridge was the first Main Street community in Maryland to install public chargers.
The Downtown Newton Development Association (North Carolina) partnered with the City of Newton on a temporary tactical urbanism project to demonstrate how their permanent streetscape improvements will benefit downtown.
Over 500 people braved the misty rain this past weekend to come and celebrate Painesville and its Made on Main Street community transformation project.
Wilson Artsy Alleys is an initiative of the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation which takes the arts to new locations in forgotten places.
In October 2017, Main Street Ottumwa collaborated with local partners, Main Street Iowa, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Better Block Foundation to stop planning, talking, and wishing, and start doing.
Kelly Tompkins of Main Street Enid shares more about the Maker Trail project and how it inspired creativity and helped people discover downtown.
The Metuchen Downtown Alliance created a cool, family-friendly public gathering space in “the worst looking spot in town” with the help of just $2,500 in Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge matching grant funds,
A collaborative effort launched between Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) and vertical farming company, Plenty, looked to blank downtown walls as a canvas for growing food, creating conversation, and activating overlooked spaces.
From walkability and transportation connectivity, to access to nature and availability of fresh food, place is inextricably linked to achieving positive health outcomes in rural America.
Beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower fountain through Main Street Paris's new Love Lock Fence.
Kasey Drummond, Glenrock Main Street Director, explains how they brought the acclaimed graffiti artist ARCY to their Main Street and explores the work he produced in three additional Wyoming communities on his summer tour.
Karen Dye, Newkirk Main Street's program manager, was inspired to “make downtown more fun and festive” with painted water meter covers after learning about the practice at a recent Main Street Now conference.
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
In contrast, the Main Street Program in Laramie, Wyoming, is thriving, having successfully cultivated millions of dollars to help fill these vacant, blighted spaces with permanent structures.
In this article we’ll explore the process of planning, funding, installing, operating, and enjoying music on your Main Street.
In 2016, the North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center partnered with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Department of Interior Architecture (UNCG) to provide design assistance to Main Street communities.
Placemaking is a strategy that Six Corners Association has enthusiastically applied to our community development efforts because of its seamless integration with the Main Street Approach.
How one Wyoming Main Street implemented a free bike share program.
In 2015, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) partnered with the University of Wisconsin–Madison to engage Wisconsin Main Street organizations and farmers markets in the Metrics and Indicators for Impact – Farmers Markets (MIFI-FM) toolkit.
The local Main Street organization, Downtown Milford Inc., is trying to address these shifting demographics by creating a more inclusive sense of community.
This is the story of how a National Endowment for the Arts gathering in DC inspired the leaders of a small town in Appalachia to connect with those in Milwaukee to transform a neglected park.
Main Street communities across the country are no stranger to seeking creative strategies to solve their most nagging issues – vacant buildings, marketing downtown, bolstering retail to name a few.
This article is the second in a series on corridors and the important role they play in Main Street revitalization. The previous article focused on the historic origins of corridors, corridor types, and functions that they serve in our communities.
Façade appearance is a critical aspect of the overall aesthetic appeal and unique character of downtown.
While the Main Street program may not take the lead in corridor enhancements, it can be a vital partner and advocate for improvements in overall community appearance.
Street pole banners preserve the historic character of main streets while fostering community awareness and engagement.
With strong community support, the Library Foundation was able to raise over $1.2 million dollars in private donations.
A lot of signs are necessary to make a downtown work well, but not every community knows what a good sign system looks like, or how instrumental it can be to the creation of a successful downtown.
A key goal of the Atlanta Streetcar is to attract investment to and revitalize the neighborhoods along the streetcar alignment.
