Sanford Main Street Inc., in partnership with the Sanford Chamber of Commerce is launching "Sanford Sizzlin' Summer," a 10-week campaign designed to energize downtown Sanford from June through August.
The initiative promotes free and affordable family-friendly activities to attract visitors to downtown Sanford, bolster local businesses, and create lasting summer memories. Sanford Sizzlin’ Summer is funded by the Downtown Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency.
A Summer Calendar Packed with Fun for Everyone
The campaign will feature a wide array of activities, including:
- Sizzlin’ Summer Cinema: Affordable Movie Magic: The Historic Ritz Theater will host family movie nights every Wednesday throughout the summer, with free admission for anyone bringing a school supply for local teachers to use in their classrooms.
- Sanford Bingo Card: Explore, Engage, and Win! An interactive bingo card will encourage exploration of local attractions and businesses. Participants will collect receipts from participating locations upon engaging in a specific activity. Completing the bingo card will earn participants prize baskets, provided by participating businesses.
- Sanford Sunset Sessions in the Square: Every Thursday evening will feature free acoustic concerts in Magnolia Square, the heart of downtown. Featuring professional entertainment, the Sunset Sessions will provide the perfect backdrop for families to relax and enjoy the summer evenings.
- Splash Pad Fun: The city of Sanford’s splash pad in Fort Mellon Park is a perfect place to cool off during the summer heat. The city is working with Sanford Main Street to offer free and/or discounted splash pad days..
- The Boys of Summer: Root, root, root for Sanford’s home team - the Sanford River Rats! Games at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium offer affordable family fun, and the chance to watch future Major League players compete in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Plus, kids get to run the bases at every home game! Attendees will be encouraged to explore downtown Sanford before and after games with exclusive deals at participating downtown businesses by simply showing their ticket.
- Christmas in July: A Mid-Year Celebration: Quickly becoming a summer tradition, Christmas in July is a retail event that highlights downtown Sanford’s independent shops. Visit all participating stores to enter a drawing for a downtown Sanford gift basket.
Sanford Seeds Program: Invest in Fun, Reap the Rewards
A visit to downtown Sanford is even more affordable this summer thanks to "Sanford Seeds," a currency for sale at the Sanford Information Center. Sanford Seeds can be bought for HALF PRICE during the Sanford Sizzlin’ Summer campaign and can be redeemed for FULL PRICE at participating downtown businesses. A limited supply of Sanford Seeds will be sold every week beginning in June. A QR code on each Sanford Seed will link to a website listing all participating businesses.
Sizzling Goals for a Vibrant Summer Downtown:
- Increase Foot Traffic: Encouraging more people to discover and enjoy the unique offerings of downtown Sanford's businesses.
- Enhance Community Engagement: Cultivating a lively and positive atmosphere throughout the summer months, strengthening community bonds.
- Promote Local Gems: Highlighting Sanford's exceptional local food, beverage, retail shops, and unique attractions.
About Sanford Main Street Inc.:
Sanford Main Street is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization, preservation and promotion of downtown Sanford. Through community events, business support, and beautification projects, Sanford Main Street works to create a vibrant and thriving downtown for residents and visitors alike.
About The Sanford Chamber of Commerce:
The Sanford Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that advocates for and supports the business community in the greater Sanford area. The Chamber works to foster economic growth, promote local businesses, and enhance the quality of life in the community.
