One of the many hanging baskets managed and cared for by the Hamilton Downtown Association. Photo provided by HDA.

Pruitt points out that one of their recent events, the Christmas Tree Lighting, brought in an estimated 1500 people to Main Street. However, bringing people specifically to downtown is not where the HDA calls it quits. Drawing people to an event is just one step, because it increases the likelihood that they stay in town and satisfy their needs here, whatever those needs might be.

Whether it’s managing the hang- character and the sweetness of our town,” said Pruitt. “The way that we’re going to preserve our small town culture is to have an advocacy group that really is out there getting people to shop local, come to community events, and be a part of our downtown.”