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Downtown at Sundown marks 10th season; organizers report higher attendance and $14,587 net profit
Summary
The Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce reported on the tenth Downtown at Sundown series, citing a total attendance of 17,898 (a 14% increase from the prior year), 41 vendors, and a net profit of $14,587 after roughly $73,000 in expenses. The city contributed $20,000 in support. Organizers identified power access, crowd flow and competing events as
Ainsley Bennett, event coordinator for the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, told the City Council the 2025 Downtown at Sundown series ran Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from July 24 through Aug. 21 and celebrated its tenth year.
"Downtown at Sundown is Thursday nights from 05:30 to 09:30 this year, held from July 24 through August 21," Bennett said. She said the series included four theme nights, vendor booths, sponsor participation and actor/athletic tie‑ins with SDSU. Organizers reported 41 vendors (7 food; 14 business/nonprofit; 13 retail; 5 multicultural booths) and 12 sponsors.
Bennett said the city allocated $20,000 toward the series. She said total revenue was just shy of $88,000 and total expenses were just over $73,000, leaving a net profit of $14,587.
Attendance by week ranged from about 2,500–4,200; Bennett said the final week recorded 3,900 attendees and the cumulative total for the series was 17,898, a 14% increase from 2024. She attributed growth to a mix of adjustments, including schedule timing and stronger SDSU participation.
Council member Duran asked whether schedule changes or theme nights drove attendance. Bennett said multiple factors likely contributed, including moving a week earlier in the calendar and partnerships with SDSU athletic and campus groups that pulled student and on‑campus audiences into downtown events.
Organizers noted operational challenges: limited power infrastructure for vendor equipment, occasional crowding during peak nights, and competing events (for example, Jack’s Bash). Opportunities identified included expanding lower‑attended theme nights (new resident welcome and multicultural night) and leveraging a recent economic merger among local organizations to grow the event.
Bennett thanked volunteers, sponsors and city staff for support and said the Chamber will continue to refine power plans and crowd flow management for future seasons.
