MainStreet helps downtown businesses

ADVOCACY

• Our monthly MainStreet Morning meeting attracts city officials from various city departments including Public Works Department, Parking Enforcement Department, Harbor and Beaches Department, Economic Development and Redevelopment Department and others. Elected officials also attend this meeting often. This gives our members a regular opportunity to have direct communications with these departments.

• MainStreet Oceanside appoints a representative to the Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC makes recommendations to the Community Development Commission on policies, practices, programs and projects that further the economic, residential, commercial, tourist, and cultural development of the Redevelopment area. The RAC also administers the Facade Improvement Program.

• MainStreet Oceanside’s Executive Director meets regularly with the City Manager to discuss items of interest to downtown businesses.

• MainStreet Oceanside staff serves as a liason between the City and the downtown businesses during major public works projects such as the recent Streetscape Improvement project.

PROMOTION

MainStreet Oceanside attracts several hundred thousand visitors to Downtown Oceanside each year to enjoy our unique events.

ANTIQUES ON MISSION: This event is held in the Spring and the Fall each year. 30,000 people come to view the wares of over one hundred antique vendors who exhibit along Mission Avenue east of Coast Highway.

FREEDOM DAYS PARADE: Oceanside has been staging Fourth of July parades since the turn of the last century. MainStreet Oceanside’s version of this parade attracts 5,000 to 6,000 spectators who line up on Coast Highway from Wisconsin Avenue north to Civic Center Drive.

O’FEST STREET FAIR: MainStreet Oceanside’s largest event is attended by 80,000 to 100,000 participants each year. Hundreds of vendors line up on Mission Avenue west of Coast Highway and on Pacific Street overlooking the ocean. This event is capped each year by a spectacular fireworks show that is funded entirely from the proceeds of the street fair.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL: MainStreet Oceanside’s Dia de los Muertos Festival takes a unique cross-cultural approach to a traditional Mexican holy day honoring friends and relatives who have passed on. Over 25,000 attendees from all backgrounds come together to celebrate the lives of the dearly departed.

WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET: One of the largest certified produce markets in North San Diego County, this weekly gathering of local farmers plays host to several thousand eager customers. The market is set up along Pier View Way for three blocks just north of Coast Highway.

ARTS ALIVE BANNER PROGRAM: Local artists paint unique banners that decorate the Coast Highway in the downtown area each Spring. MainStreet Oceanside funds the purchase of the banners and arranges for the hanging of the banners each year. A grand auction of the banners is held in May with the proceeds divided between the artists and MainStreet Oceanside’s Phantom Gallery.

SUNSET MARKET MainStreet Oceanside operates this weekly community gathering. Over one hundred vendors offer prepared food, arts and crafts, and certified produce. This event is attended by up to eight thousand residents and visitors.

PRESS COVERAGE: MainStreet Oceanside’s activities generate literally hundreds of articles in the local press. In addition, MSO staff has appeared on various television shows. Every opportunity is taken to publicize Downtown Oceanside as a fun, safe destination for locals and out-of-town visitors alike.