It has been a very busy year for PMSA. When the work is hectic, it is easy to forget how much was done and how many people were involved in making it happen. This is a very brief summary of PMSA’s 2008. It is by no means an exhaustive compilation of events, tasks or names of those who made the year possible. Our gratitude goes out to all who played a part in making the year the success that it was. PMSA Board of Directors and staff are committed to carrying into 2009 the same schedule and commitment to serve the community.
Dave Eatwell
January
More than 65 Puyallup Main Street members and staff gathered at the historic Liberty Theater to review 2007, celebrate successes, recognize hard work and leadership, and to look ahead to the future. Out-going Board President Glen Zevenbergen passed the gavel to 2008 President Kent Hojem and new officers. Rich Guzman was named “Volunteer of the Year” for his many hours of donated work during Meeker Days and the Farmers Market. Mary Johnson received the “President’s Award” from Glen Zevenbergen.
February
Approximately 100 prospective brides visited Downtown Puyallup during the second annual Wedding Walk in search of services, décor, fashion and accessories that would make their special day magical. PMSA Office Manager coordinated the efforts of more than 30 participating businesses and sponsors to make it a special and festive day for them all. Meeker Days/Marketing Manager Shelli Williams launched the new PMSA website featuring a new color and graphic scheme, more events and program pages, and enhanced interactivity.
March
Farmers Market Manager Janie Morris staged Puyallup’s first annual Celtic Faire celebrating all things green (Irish and sustainable, that is). Celtic garb was the uniform of the day, with kilts and tartan on every block of Downtown Puyallup, moving to the call of bagpipes. Step-dancers, storytellers and singers entertained the hundreds of people, while workshops and presentations on sustainable lifestyle informed many more.
April
Downtown filled with spectators who came to see the Daffodil Parade again wind its way through Puyallup. PMSA staff and volunteers assembled and manned a colorful booth promoting the Farmers’ Market and Main Street activities at the Spring Fair. Youth Investment’s Friends and Servants, along with the Rogers High School ROTC squad, a Troop of Scouts, and many other volunteers scoured Downtown sidewalks and storefronts during PMSA’s Spring Clean-up.
May
Market Manager Janie Morris opened the Farmers Market. In spite of unseasonably cool weather, attendance and revenues were good. The Spring Art and Wine Walk drew more than 500 visitors to downtown to sample a wide variety of wines, food and art at 22 tasting and entertainment stations. Performances by Washington State’s Poet Laureate high-lighted the day. Downtown Puyallup’s unique business mix received a shot in the arm as PMSA took six business owners to John Schallert’s Destination Marketing Bootcamp to learn the secrets of drawing customers from hundreds of miles away.
June
The Farmers Market continued to draw record crowds and revenues, in spite of a late growing season. Perfect weather appeared in time to make the Meeker Days Festival the largest ever, with attendance estimates exceeding 105,000. PMSA submitted a proposed plan to mitigate cramped business parking in Puyallup’s central business district. Segments of that plan have been adopted and implemented. Other segments remain under consideration.
July
The Farmers Market continued to draw farmers and artists that attract thousands of shoppers to Downtown Puyallup every weekend. On one weekend in July, Governor Gregoire and a contingent of state legislators toured the Market, greeting vendors and shoppers.
August
The Farmers’ Market continued its successful run as PMSA staff and volunteers assisted the City of Puyallup with the Grand Opening of the $40 million City Hall on 8-8-08. Thousands of residents and visitors attended the ribbon cutting and open house. A special goody bag and wine garden presented by PMSA welcomed City staff to their new Downtown home. On August 16th, Downtown’s streets were filled with classic cars and their owners, as the NW Crown Victoria Car Club met in Puyallup for three days and displayed their pride.
September
The central business district opened its doors to greet the rodeo parade that annually signals the onset of the Puyallup Fair. Perfect weather and a couple thousand parents, grand-parents and children came to follow the cows, horses and cowboys through the opening gates. Renewed efforts to counteract the “Fair Effect” (sunflower contests, salsa contests, dancers , and fashion show) resulted in doubled Farmers Market revenues over previous years . A special coupon booklet stuffed into 14,500 back packs sold at the Fair invited fair goers to come back downtown. September also saw PMSA and the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber cooperate on the first annual Puyallup Economic Development Conference. They also combined efforts to host 90 local business owners at a special workshop presented by destination marketing guru Jon Schallert.
October
The Fall Art and Wine Walk drew 510 attendees to downtown Puyallup, in spite of a bit of nasty weather. The close of the Puyallup Farmers’ Market marked total revenues for the season of more than $1.1 million, making it the third largest farmers market in Washington State. Perfect weather and an atmosphere of fun brought more than 1,200 children and parents downtown for an afternoon of trick-or-treating and games.
November
November was a month of preparations for the Holiday Season to come. A group of volunteers from Friends and Servants converted 50 snowflakes to LED’s while Jordon Gerry, working toward his Eagle Scout award, led a volunteer group of Scouts from Troop 274 to install hardware and new holiday banners on 65 light poles throughout Downtown Puyallup. While hanging the 75 snowflakes, volunteers John Hopkins and Rich Guzman also adorned 15 street trees with strings of LED’s. A first meeting of building owners initiated the Facade Improvement to restore 8 downtown buildings with the distribution of $62,000 in matching grants funded by Absher Construction and the Pierce County Historic Preservation and Landmarks Commission.
December
The Holiday Season kicked off with a bang as Puyallup again had near-perfect weather bringing more than 5,000 children of all ages downtown to welcome Santa to Puyallup. “Thanks!” to Kerry Yanasak, Larry Bargmeyer, Ted Maloney, and their crew for their hard work on all the parades that bring so much joy to Puyallup during the year.
In spite of generous sponsorships by the Puyallup Auto Dealers Association and Main Station Dental Care, the following weekend’s weather did not cooperate so well, as wind and rain collapsed awnings and kept folks from coming to meet Santa’s reindeer. Salon 210 won the Herald’s and People’s Choice Awards in the Window Decorating Contest with its rendition of “A Christmas Story.”
