Friends of the Historic Plaza details seasonal events series, says $10,000 community grant supported four events

Friends of the Historic Plaza told the Twentynine Palms City Council on June 10 that a $10,000 community events grant funded four signature events in the group’s inaugural year and helped draw local residents and visitors back to the downtown Historic Plaza.

Jimmy Brower, a local business owner and one of four board directors with Friends of the Historic Plaza, told the council the nonprofit used the full $10,000 award to stage a Pioneer Days Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, a Holiday Market, a Chalk Fest and Art Fair, and a backyard barbecue event planned for June 22. Brower said the events combined to bring “approximately around a thousand people” to the car-show weekend, about 500 to the holiday market and roughly 250 to the Chalk Fest and Art Fair.

Why it matters: Brower and other presenters told council that the events generated volunteer engagement, merchant support and ancillary economic activity for downtown businesses and the local animal shelter. Brower said the Holiday Market’s adoptable‑pet pop-up…