Downtown business owners will keep their up their shops and restaurants open later during the festival to introduce the large crowds the festival will draw to everything the downtown Pickens area to offer.
This year’s Azalea Festival runs Thursday, April 16 – Saturday, April 18.
Members of the Pickens Downtown Business Association met Tuesday night to discuss their Azalea Festival plans.
Members hope that most of the downtown business owners will agree to keep their businesses open until 8 p.m. or later to take advantage of the large crowds during the three days of the festival.
“We want people to stay open,” said Katherine Brackett. “We’ve got three nights to play with.”
Local businesses staying open longer will help the Azalea Festival while enjoying the commercial benefits of increased foot traffic downtown, she said.
Stockade N’ Stuff owner Jeannie Gilstrap agreed.
“The Azalea Festival was organized years ago as an economic stimulus for downtown,” she said. “As long as your businesses can stay open, I think it’s great for the Azalea Festival and your businesses will benefit.
“Our guests at the Azalea Festival, they look for stores to go in,” Gilstrap continued. “You get exposure.”
Festival organizers are expecting 18,000 – 20,000 people to visit this year’s festival.
Thursday night, bring the kids to enjoy the amusement rides and hear music provided by local talent.
Friday night will draw crowds to the festival to see the souped-cars at the annual Cruise-In, capped off with a performance from beach music giants The Tams.
The festival will draw crowds all day Saturday, and businesses want to be part of the action.
The festival concludes with a concert from rock n’ roller Jason D. Williams.
Post a Comment
