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Commerce Main Street
Commerce has been one of Georgia's Main Street Cities since 1985.
Tourism information and newcomer packets are available in the Main Street Office.
The Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization
Main Street is a philosophy, a program and a proven comprehensive approach to downtown commercial district revitalization. This approach has been implemented in over 1,800 cities and towns in 44 states across the nation with the help of the National Main Street Center and statewide downtown revitalization programs. Main Street successfully integrates the practical management strategy with the physical improvement of buildings and public spaces, aggressive promotion and image building, and the economic development of the area.
Committee Structure
The success of the Main Street approach is based on its comprehensive nature. By carefully integrating four points into practical downtown management strategy, a local Main Street program will produce fundamental changes in a community's economic base.
Co-chairs - DDA/MS Board of Directors
Involves building a Main Street framework that is well represented by business and property owners, banks, citizens, public officials, chambers of commerce and other local economic development organizaitons. Everyone must work together to maintain a long-term effort.
Co-chairs - Tricia Massey and Dr. Clark Hill
Creates excitment downtown. Street festivals, parades, retail events and image development campaigns are some of the ways Main Street encourages customer traffic. Promotion involves marketing an enticing image to shoppers, investors and visitors and also positioning the downtown in the market place.
Co-chairs - Keith Ariail and Terry Minish
Enhances the attractiveness of the central business district. Historic building rehabilitation, street and alley clean-up, colorful banners, landscaping and lighting all improve the physical image of the downtown as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in and live. Design improvements result in a reinvestment of public and private dollars to downtown.
Co-chairs - Bob Sosebee, Chris Bray and Claudine Smith
Involves analyzing current market forces to develop long-term solutions. Recruiting new businesses, creatively converting unused space for new uses and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street's traditional merchants are examples of economic restructuring activities.
2008 Downtown Promotional Events
JANUARY
Atlanta Opera
presents "Cold Sassy Tree"
Tuesday, January 8th
Commerce Cultural Center
FEBRUARY
Nothing Scheduled
MARCH
19th Annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 22nd
Enter the contest for the Best Decorated Bicycle, Wagon or Battery-Operated Vehicle. No gasoline-operated vehicles will be allowed. Be at the Community Bank & Trust Drive-Thru Parking Lot by 9:30am in order to be judged. The Easter parade begins at 10:45am. The Egg Hunt will be held on the front lawn of the First Baptist Church and will begin when all of the paraders arrive. Don't forget that Commerce businesses have hidden gift certificates inside selcet eggs.
This event is brought to you by your friends at Community Bank & Trust, the Commerce Area Business Assocation and the Commerce DDA/Main Street Office.
APRIL
Great American Clean Up
Saturday, April 19th
Join the Commerce Downtown Development Authority, Keep Jackson County Beautiful, Commerce Kiwanis Club, Commerce Lions Club and a group of volunteers from the First Baptist Church of Commerce in helping to clean up and beautify our historic downtown area. The clean up event begins at 9:00am and will consist of picking up trash and freshening flower beds. Please call the Commerce DDA at (706) 335-2954 if you are interested in getting involved. Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer.
Fridays After Five NEW EVENT!
Friday, April 25th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a FREE Movie in the Park at Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is showing BEE MOVIE, a G-Rated movie on a 20' x 20' inflatable movie screen equiped with a professional sound system. Food vendors will be present. Please refer to the Downtown Parking Map at the bottom of the page for off-street parking options.
MAY
Colgate Country Showdown
Friday, May 23rd and Saturday, May 24th
WJJC 1270AM presents this annual country music talent contest.
Previous winner, Dustin Wilkes, was featured on the USA Network's "Nashville Star."
Performed at the Commerce Cultural Center
Fridays After Five NEW EVENT!
Friday, May 9th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a FREE Concert in the Park at Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is hosting BOSS LAURA AND JIMMY T, a Northeast Georgia Classic/Southern Rock Band. Food vendors will be present. Please refer to the Downtown Parking Map at the bottom of the page for off-street parking options.
Farmers Market Organizational Meeting
Thursday, May 22nd
The Commerce Downtown Development Authority is hosting an informational session for those groups/individuals interested in participating in this summer's Downtown Farmers Market. The meeting will take place at the Commerce Civic Center at 7:00pm.
Fridays After Five NEW EVENT!
Friday, May 23rd
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a FREE Concert in the Park at Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is hosting CURLEY MAPLE, an Athens-based Folk/Acoustic/Americana Band. Food vendors will be present. Please refer to the Downtown Parking Map at the bottom of the page for off-street parking options.
JUNE
Fridays After Five NEW EVENT!
Friday, June 6th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a FREE Movie in the Park at Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is showing SURF'S UP, a G-Rated movie on a 20' x 20' inflatable movie screen equiped with a professional sound system. Food vendors will be present. Please refer to the Downtown Parking Map at the bottom of the page for off-street parking options.
City Lights Downtown Festival
Saturday, June 28th
This year's City Lights Festival will feature the following events:
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City Lights Star Chase 5K Road Race (3.1 mile run through historic downtown Commerce)
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Downtown Farmers Market
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Stars n' Cars Hot Rod & Antique Car Show
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Kids Zone with family-friendly entertainment (moonwalk, obstacle course, extreme baseball challenge, soccer shoot out, double lane slide)
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North Georgia Arts & Crafts Vendors
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Various Food Vendors
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Petting Zoo and Animal Encounters Exibit
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Live Music on Downtown Stage - Folk, Bluegrass, Americana, Country, Classic/Southern Rock and Blues
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FIREWORKS AT DUSK!
All events take place at or around Spencer Park in Historic Downtown Commerce
Downtown Farmers Market
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. All products must be grown in Georgia. All items must be sold by container, bag or item. Scales cannot be used because a Georgia Certified sticker must be applied. All kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, plants, cut flowers and herbs may be sold. Vendors will pay a one-time fee of $10 for 2008.
Stay tuned for event dates!
JULY
Downtown Farmers Market
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. All products must be grown in Georgia. All items must be sold by container, bag or item. Scales cannot be used because a Georgia Certified sticker must be applied. All kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, plants, cut flowers and herbs may be sold. Vendors will pay a one-time fee of $10 for 2008.
Stay tuned for event dates!
AUGUST
Downtown Farmers Market
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. All products must be grown in Georgia. All items must be sold by container, bag or item. Scales cannot be used because a Georgia Certified sticker must be applied. All kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, plants, cut flowers and herbs may be sold. Vendors will pay a one-time fee of $10 for 2008.
Stay tuned for event dates!
Tigers on the Town Downtown Pep Rally
Thursday, August 28th
(day before home game against cross-county rival, Jefferson Dragons)
As in the past, the event takes place at Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. This year we hope to feature the Commerce High School Football Team, Cheerleaders, Marching Band, Dance Line, Majorettes, Cross Country Team and Softball Team. The Commerce Area Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority will be honoring the 2007-2008 Teachers of the Year at this year's event.
SEPTEMBER
Downtown Farmer's Market
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. All products must be grown in Georgia. All items must be sold by container, bag or item. Scales cannot be used because a Georgia Certified sticker must be applied. All kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, plants, cut flowers and herbs may be sold. Vendors will pay a one-time fee of $10 for 2008.
Stay tuned for event dates!
OCTOBER
Downtown Trick or Treat
Friday, October 31st
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Located in historic downtown Commerce
Calling all ghost and goblins! Trick-or-treaters must be in costume, under the age of 12, and accompanied by an adult. Downtown merchants, restaurants, banks, and professionals will be participating. The Commerce Police Department will offer the Child Safety ID program at the Downtown Development Authority Office. Police Officers will give out ID kits, and if requested the child may be fingerprinted. NEW! Costume Contest & Pumpkin Painting in Spencer Park!
NOVEMBER
Thanksgiving Evening
Thursday, November 27th
6:00 p.m. Downtown Christmas lights are turned on
DECEMBER
Hometown Holidays
Saturday, December 6th
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Breakfast with Santa 9:00am - 11:00am @ Location TBA (Have your picture taken with Santa Clause and enjoy breakfast)
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Secret Santa Workshop 12:00pm - 3:00pm @ Location TBA (Shop in a store designed just for kids. All gifts are priced under $10. For kids ages 5 - 12)
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Hometown Holidays Hot Rod & Antique Cruise In 12:00pm - 3:00pm @ Spencer Park Parking Lots
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Downtown Loft and Business Open House 12:00pm - 3:00pm (Tour our local heritage hot spots and witness downtown's completed and ongoing renovations)
Commerce Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 7th
New Years Eve Dance
Wednesday, December 31st
The Commerce Area Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority are excited to announce that one of the Southeast's most well-known bands, THE JESTERS, will be making an encore performance at this wildly entertaining and well-attended event. Group packages are available. Also - complete event packages, including tickets to the concert, a catered meal and free transportation will also be available. Please stay tuned for more information.
For more information about community events, please contact the Commerce Main Street/Downtown Development Authority office.
Please use the following links to access
Historic Commerce: A Self-Guided Tour
Historic Walking Tour Map
Historic Walking Tour 1
Historic Walking Tour 2
Commerce Main Street is dedicated to providing ample parking for its business owners, patrons and visitors. To access the Downtown Parking Map, click on the link below.
Parking Map for Downtown
The follwoing link is designed for potential small-business owners who want to locate in historic Downtown Commerce.
Small Business Guide
Hasco Craver
Executive Director
PO Box 717 - 1645 S. Elm Street
Commerce, Georgia 30529
Phone: 706.335.2954
Fax: 706.335.3790
updated 5/11/2008
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