In a recent government meeting, local officials highlighted the success of community initiatives aimed at boosting evening foot traffic and supporting local businesses. The \"3rd Thursdays\" event, launched in July, has seen increased participation, particularly with the holiday season approaching. Scheduled for November 21, the event aims to attract more visitors, including those who work out of town.

The meeting also reported on the positive impact of the \"1st Saturday\" events, which drew an estimated 32,700 visitors over seven occurrences, generating approximately $1.8 million in spending. Officials noted that about 60% of attendees typically visit just one shop, but improvements to sidewalks are expected to encourage additional foot traffic and window shopping.

Other successful events included the \"Rhythm and Boots\" song competition, which featured five performers, some of whom are not local, potentially drawing new visitors to future festivals. The \"Spirits for the Spirits\" event also saw growth, with ticket sales increasing from 72 to 90 this year.

Looking ahead, the community is gearing up for the \"Small Business Saturday\" on November 30, recognized as a neighborhood champion by American Express for the third consecutive year. The meeting concluded with plans for upcoming events, including a chocolate walk in February and a fashion brunch in March, signaling a vibrant calendar for the local economy.