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Application hart 1
<br />Pruiect and event tlescrintion
<br />The Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA) has been dedicated to downtown revitalization and
<br />preservation for many years. The EDA follows the National Main Street Center 4 -Point Approach to
<br />ensure that downtown Ellensburg continues to thrive moving toward the future. Successful projects
<br />include downtown bike racks, street furniture, roof line lighting, holiday lights, a new website, downtown
<br />maps and dining guides, and much more. The EDA has had a hand in projects such as a new downtown
<br />hotel, and we also manage the newly renovated Elks Building that is currently at 100% occupancy.
<br />Downtown's economic outlook continues to look strong. In the past 7 years, due in part to the efforts of
<br />the EDA, downtown has seen a net gain of 30 businesses and more than 7 million in private investment.
<br />The EDA distributes over 20,000 downtown maps and logs more than 2,500 volunteer hours each year.
<br />Over the years, the EDA has made it a priority to seek out partnerships in order to build relationships and
<br />expand our outreach. Thousands of people enjoy downtown Ellensburg each year because of its unique
<br />history and offerings such as restaurants, museums and galleries, retail, and services. This application for
<br />Lodging Tax will provide assistance to the EDA in promoting downtown and the events that draw people
<br />to downtown. While some of our events are locally based, many of them have a regional draw, adding to
<br />tourism. The EDA regularly evaluates our events to monitor if they are still successful, or if they should
<br />be let go to free up energy for other tasks.
<br />Target audiences include those interested in Heritage Tourism, empty nesters and families looking for
<br />weekend travel and outdoor recreation, music enthusiasts (Buskers in the Burg), dog lovers (Dachshunds
<br />on Parade), those who seek to create traditions with their family (Hometown Holidays), and families of
<br />CWU students. Primary markets for advertising include Yakima, Tri -cities, Wenatchee, Moses Lake,
<br />Spokane, and Seattle/Tacoma.
<br />-Dachshunds on Parade has been a long standing tradition in downtown Ellensburg run by the McKean
<br />family. In 2018, the Ellensburg Downtown Association will begin taking over the event as the McKean
<br />family transitions out of the process. This event regularly brings 300 dachshunds and their owners
<br />(estimated 600+ in attendance), approximately half of which are from out of town. The day includes
<br />vendors, a parade, a costume contest, pet tricks, and dog races. Lodging Tax monies would be used to
<br />market the event via social media, television, radio, print media, and direct mailers.
<br />-Hoedown in the Downtown takes place in the fall as a way to kick off Kittitas County Fair and
<br />Ellensburg Rodeo (Labor Day Weekend). Attendance has been between 300-1,200 depending on weather,
<br />with 30% coming for out of town based on past year's zip code surveys. In 2017, we moved the event to
<br />Wednesday night and had a great turnout. This avoided us competing with Hall of Fame and added an
<br />additional day to a weekend of successful events. Lodging Tax monies would help promote this event via
<br />social media, radio, television, print media, and direct mailers.
<br />-Buskers in the Burg is a music and arts festival taking place during the last weekend in September. In
<br />its 7th year, this event continues to gain quite a large following. Friday night is Busker preview night
<br />where a handful of buskers are placed in the downtown restaurants and bars from 6-8 pm to promote the
<br />next day's festival. Saturday consists of an arts parade, buskers playing throughout downtown, stage acts,
<br />a dancer's stage, children's activities, and an expanded Kittitas County Farmers Market. That evening we
<br />host an after party at Kelleher Motor Company where we have breweries, wineries, pizza, and music.
<br />Lodging Tax monies would help support entertainment and marketing this event via social media,
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