About

News

Vision

Impact

Downtown Community Update – April 28

Downtown Community Update – April 28

Apr 13, 2022 | Main Street

Wondering what’s been happening behind the scenes here in Downtown Garner? Join us on April 28th at 6pm to learn more about everything that’s been brewing during the last year and find out what’s coming soon to Downtown and North Garner!

The Downtown Garner Association will host an in-person community gathering in the Multipurpose Room of the Garner Recreation Center to share our upcoming Calendar of Events and to talk about recent business developments and exciting new additions to our historic downtown district and North Garner.  DGA board members will lead a walking tour of the Main Street business district, ending at Aristotle Spirits for Q&A and drinks.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about DGA’s role in downtown revitalization – especially if you’re interested in getting involved! The DGA Board of Directors is looking for volunteers who want to help with public art, downtown events, marketing, and fundraising.  If that’s you, we encourage you to attend and bring your questions about how you can get involved.

Downtown & North Garner Community Update

Thursday, April 28

6pm to 7pm

Garner Recreation Center

Multipurpose Room

215 W. Main Street

Register to Attend
DGA Honors 2021 NC Main Street Champion Jihan Hodges

DGA Honors 2021 NC Main Street Champion Jihan Hodges

Apr 6, 2022 | Main Street

Thirty-three North Carolina Main Street Champions were recognized for their commitment to downtown revitalization and strong communities in 2021 during the recent NC Main Street Conference.  Including this year’s group of honorees, 837 Main Street Champions have been recognized by the N.C. Department of Commerce since 2000.

The Downtown Garner Association was honored to nominate past DGA Chair and Board Member Jihan Hodges as Garner’s 2021 Main Street Champion. Downtown Development Manager Mari Howe shared the following in her nomination of Jihan Hodges:

Since joining the Downtown Garner Association in 2017, Jihan Hodges has been an amazing asset to Garner’s Main Street program. Bringing her energy and passion to the table, she plays a big part in making Downtown Garner’s signature events successful. Jihan puts in long hours, acting as volunteer coordinator, and looking for opportunities, big and small, to make downtown events better every year. Often the first to arrive and last to leave, Jihan’s commitment is unparalleled, and her assistance is invaluable to the downtown manager. During her four years on the downtown board, Jihan served as vice chair and chair, leading the organization as an advocate for a catalytic public-private development project on Main Street and guiding annual planning efforts to build on downtown’s strategic assets.

The 2021 NC Main Street Champions were honored in a virtual recognition ceremony on March 10.  Representatives from the NC Department of Commerce attended to congratulate the new Champoions.  “There are three common elements that are found in successful communities.  These elements are asset based economic development strategies, public and private partnerships, and local champions,” said Kenny Flowers, Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development at the N.C. Department of Commerce.

“Main Street Champions are the key to success in downtown revitalization. They possess courage to move downtown forward; they fight for positive change and do that with creativity and innovation; and they actively get things done, while staying focused on the downtown’s economic development strategies,” said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center at Commerce.

The Downtown Garner Association would like to thank Jihan Hodges for her dedicated service and enthusiastic contributions to Garner’s Main Street program.

Watch the Recognition Video
Trick or Treat at Garner Night Market

Trick or Treat at Garner Night Market

Oct 15, 2021 | Events, Main Street

Garner Night Market

Friday, October 22 – 5:00 to 9:00 pm

On Main Street from Montague St. to Griffin St.

Showcasing Garner’s creativity outside in Downtown Garner. Bring the pups and the kiddos for this family-friendly event. Sip on wine or local beer while you shop over 50 vendors and grab a bite to eat from our monthly rotation of food trucks.

 

October Vendors:

She Shed Stained Glass
Ian Griffin Art (Ian’s Record Clocks)
Peggy Roses Jellies, LLC
Pet Wants East Raleigh
Zulia Bakery
Impulsive Creativity
Bold Standard
Milestone Bag Co.
Jule Cooke Creations
Black Dog Crafts
Christina Britt Studio
dMarie Designs
ParMar Media
Oxford Green Candle Co.
Copperline Plant Co., LLC
OMG Lemonade

American Gutter Protection
Oberweis Dairy
Just For Hue LLC
Wax On!
Port and Starbird Creations
Paige Patisserie
Valerosa Boutique
Moonlytes Vintage Gifts
Fragments and Fig
The Cosmo Gypsy
My Little Humans Boutique
Copper’s sound
Perfectly Imperfect Pups
Doodles and Clyde
Crowd Cow

Perfectly Imperfect Pups
Style House
Solid Roots
Mae and Rae Boutique
Levy’s Jerk Stand
Surly Squirrel
NaturalWonderz
Walking Crab
Wild Earth
Designs by Debbie, LLC
Olive & Oak Essentials
Garner Grows Urban Community Garden
Feel The Essence LLC
Lauren Likes Art
Ms.Mastic’s Crystals and More

Live Music:

5-7pm Angela Parchetta
7-9pm Honey Bee Kind
7:30-8:30pm Imagine Circus

Food Trucks:
Levy’s Jerk Stand
Baozi
Walking Crab
Jam Ice
Chillz Intergalactic Donuts
Paper & Stars Children’s Market
Mystic Hollow Emporium – KIds’ Workshops & Activities- Gemstone Dig, Fairy Terrarium Building, Potion Mixing, Live Painting With Storytime ($10 – $30)
Rachel Tourdot, Author
GamerGoodies4u
Triangle Game Night Yard Games
Sword Circle Demos
Chillz Intergalactic Donuts
Arts Together Fall Ornament Make & Take
Free Spirited Artistry – free face painting
Apply as a Vendor
https://www.raleighnightmarket.com/vendor-application-raleigh
Covid Precautions:

This event is all outdoors and masks are suggested for anyone who is not vaccinated.

Trick or Treat the Track

215 W. Main St. – Parking Available on Site

The Town of Garner’s popular Trick or Treat event is joining the Garner Night Market this year! Businesses, civic groups and other community organizations will be set up along Garner Recreation Center’s indoor track passing out treats. There will be Halloween-themed activities set up on Main Street, in addition to the regular Night Market festivities.

An adult must accompany children at all times. Face coverings are required inside the Recreation Center. (Disposable masks will be available.)

Event Parking

Parking for the Garner Night Market and the Garner Rec Center Kick Off Celebration is available around Downtown Garner.  Use the map to find available parking at the Rec Center, along Main Street, at the Garner Lions Club, and in other overflow parking lots.

Stay Updated

Follow the Garner Night Market and the Trick or Treat the Track on Facebook for updated details about each event.

Learn about Garner’s 2021 Bond Referendum

Learn about Garner’s 2021 Bond Referendum

Oct 14, 2021 | Events, Main Street

At the Upcoming

Downtown & North Garner Community Update

Thursday, October 21, 2021
6:30-8:00 pm

 

Garner Performing Arts Center
742 W. Garner Rd.

The Downtown Garner Association will host Town of Garner staff for one of the upcoming presentations and Q&As on the four bond questions that will be on the Nov. 2, 2021, ballot: Street and Sidewalk Improvement Bonds, Parks and Recreational Bonds, Public Safety and Services Facilities Bonds and Stormwater Bonds. After staff’s brief presentation (about 20 minutes), they’ll take your questions. You can learn more about the bond questions at garnerbonds.com.

DGA board members will also share more about upcoming downtown events and public art projects happening on Main Street!

This meeting will be held in person and masks are required for everyone at the Garner Performing Arts Center, per Town of Garner’s mask policy. We look forward to seeing you!

Event Details
2021 Bond Website

Join us April 1 for a Downtown & North Garner Community Update

Join us April 1 for a Downtown & North Garner Community Update

Mar 25, 2021 | Events, Main Street

Wondering what’s been happening behind the scenes here in Downtown Garner? Join us on April 1st at 5pm to learn more about everything that’s been brewing during the last year and find out what’s coming soon to Downtown and North Garner!  The Downtown Garner Association will host a virtual Q&A session, following a brief presentation on upcoming projects and exciting new additions to our historic Main Street. 

This is a great opportunity to learn more about DGA’s role in downtown revitalization – especially if you’re interested in getting involved! The DGA Board of Directors is looking for volunteers who want to help with public art, downtown events, marketing, and fundraising.  If that’s you, we encourage you to attend and bring your questions about how you can get involved.  

Downtown Garner Virtual Q&A

Thursday, April 1 – 5pm to 6pm
Register to Attend
2020 Christmas on Main Holiday Events

2020 Christmas on Main Holiday Events

Dec 2, 2020 | Events, Main Street

Visit Downtown Garner now through the end of 2020 for a dose of holiday cheer!  While the holidays look a bit different this year, the Downtown Garner Association invites you to enjoy a safe, socially-distanced walk down Main Street.  This go-at-your-own-pace event is open 24/7 – we urge visitors to take necessary safety precautions and avoid crowds due to COVID.

The windows of Garner’s historic business district have been transformed into a winter wonderland with festive holiday artwork.   Visit the North Pole, say hi to Santa, carol along to the 12 Days of Christmas, and stop off for a cup of cheer!

While you enjoy the bright Christmas lights, cheery artwork, and jolly green wreaths, take pictures – it’s perfect for family holiday photos and Instagram backdrops!  Be sure to tag @DowntownGarner on Facebook and Instagram and use #GarnerChristmasOnMain in your photos – we’ll feature our favorites weekly!

Special thanks to Steve and Stacy Kolcaz from Grafix House for their time and effort in making Main Street shine with holiday decorations.

Holiday window art in Downtown Garner is brought to you by our generous 2020 sponsors:

Meg Hunter

Mary Elizabeth Twiddy

Garner Area Historical Society

Town of Garner Holiday Events

Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday, December 4th – 6pm
Join the Town of Garner for our Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting! Mayor Ken Marshburn and Santa come together to light the tree and and bring Christmas cheer!

 

Event Info

Family Candy Cane Hunt

Saturday, December 5th – 12-4pm
In this photo scavenger hunt, families will each be given a poster size candy cane to decorate, along with clues on locations to take it around Town. Groups will return to Avery Street with photo evidence and receive a Holiday Family Craft Kit. Prizes will be given to the most festively dressed team and best decorated candy cane.
Event Info

Christmas on Main Street

Saturday, December 5th – 1pm
Drive by the Garner Recreation Center on December 5 from 1-3pm to wave and wish at Santa!
Bring your holiday spirit and keep everyone safe by following these rules:
1. Traffic will only enter Main Street from New Rand Road.
2. Please remain in your vehicle.
3. Please do not stop.
Event Info

The Hall Sisters Holiday Concert

Thursday, December 17th – 7pm
While you can’t come to the GPAC, the GPAC is coming to you! We are pleased to continue our GPAC from Home series where we offer a FREE livestream performance featuring some of the best in local and regional talent. Join us on Thursday, December 17th for a holiday performance by The Hall Sisters! 

Event Info

Garner Historical Society Christmas Ornaments

Members of the Historical Society will be at the building beside the Historic Depot on Sunday, December 6, from 2:00 to 4:00 with Christmas ornaments and a few other items for sale. These ornaments were hand made by an artist in Sanford and there are a limited number – don’t miss out!  Only cash and check payments will be accepted at this time. For more information, follow the Historical Society on Facebook.