Let’s get downtown

Lynchburg event draws both college students and locals for a night on the town

Local businesses and vendors in downtown Lynchburg prepared for their busiest night of the year as thousands of people swarmed the city for the eighth annual Get Downtown festival Friday, Sept. 9.

More than 160 vendors and businesses filled the storefronts of Main Street for six blocks, using promotions, free giveaways and samples to attract and connect with attendees.

Businesses located on Main Street such as the White Hart Café, Market at Main, and Scene 3, a skateboard and bicycle shop, were joined by local colleges and organizations such as Liberty University, Gospel Community Church, Cheesy Rider Food Truck, and Open Porch Cafe.

In just a minute’s walk, guests could visit a clothing store or a food truck, learn about the mission of a non-profit, or purchase hand-made crafts and artwork.

Scattered throughout the festival were local bands and street performers, and many businesses on Main Street brought elements of their stores outside to bring their products right to guests. United Way hosted an event on the roof of the Bank of the James.

Ashley Kershner, executive director of Lynch’s Landing, an organization who regularly coordinates events to promote downtown Lynchburg, said that the goal of the event is to introduce people to the businesses downtown.

“For some people, this is their first introduction to downtown,” Kershner said. “They’re seeing some of these businesses for the first time.”

One such business was the Patriotic Peacock, a local art studio that offers painting lessons for new or experienced artists.

Founder Kathlyn Wade started the business from her home but moved into a store on Main Street less than a month ago.

She said Get Downtown allows her to meet potential customers who may not have known about the business before the festival.

“We couldn’t have moved in here at a better time,” Wade said. “We’re going to start out on a high note. We get to have a lot of exposure and a lot of new faces.”

Wade allowed guests to practice their painting and learn more about the classes she offers as she handed out brochures and raffle tickets for free night classes.

Retail supervisor at Altus Chocolate Kaitlyn Lauderbaugh said the store had employees outside who offered cheesecake samples as they connected with guests.

She said she hoped the genuineness of the team would encourage future visits and that guests would follow the store on social media.

Kershner said events like Get Downton give people a chance to change their perspective on the city.

She said new restaurants have recently opened up and that Lynch’s Landing holds other events to attract locals to downtown Lynchburg.

“Over the last five years, (with) the number of people who have moved into downtown and that have businesses opening up, there’s no doubt to me that the events are a part of that catalyst,” Kershner said. “A big win for (Get Downtown) is that people attend and they say, ‘Wow, I had no idea all of this was going on downtown,’ and they become a loyal downtown visitor.”

Contributing Reporters:

katelyn rutt, Jacob Clarke, Rachael Carney, Christianne gormley