May 2026 Newsletter

may 2026

NEWSLETTER @DowntownWashMo

PROUD NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Giving Update Friends of Washington

FRIEND • DOWNTOWNER • STAKEHOLDER • LEADER 4 Tiers of Benefits with Increasing Perks • Early Access to select events • Free Drinks, Tastings, & Event Tickets • Premium Extras like venue use & lodging

28% Scan to Learn More & Start Now

We’ve raised $7,150 of our $25,000 goal!

street vendors

distilleries

downtown visitors

food vendors

The 2026 BBQ & Bluesfest in Downtown Washington, Missouri (April 24–26) drew strong crowds and featured beautiful weather all weekend.

Attendees enjoyed a lively mix of food, music, and community spirit, with 41 street vendors offering a variety of goods while food vendors served up plenty of BBQ. The entertainment tent hosted acts including King Benny, Black Moon Blues Club, BagLunch Blues Band, Charles “Skeet” Rodgers, Duke Tumatoe, Soulard Blues Band, and The Brenton Sterling Band, while Dominic Knott performed fire shows on Friday and Saturday evenings at Main and Elm. The festival’s mini events were also a success, with Deep Sleep Brewery of Washington, MO winning Best Brewery and Old Bridgeview won best BBQ at Friday’s BBQ & Brewsfest, and Old Ozarkian Distillery of Union, MO earning Best Distillery at Saturday’s Barrel Walk. Overall, the event delivered a smooth, engaging, and memorable weekend for attendees.

fire performer

MAY 15 - 17, 2026

FARMERS’ MARKET • 317 W MAIN STREET FRI 5PM-10PM • SAT 10AM-10PM • SUN 10AM-4PM

Wine Tasting

FRIDAY, MAY 15 • 5 - 10 PM SATURDAY, MAY 16 • 12 - 10 PM

Sip + Savor Sunday

SUNDAY, MAY 17 • 12 - 3 PM ART FAIR • FOOD COURT • LIVE MUSIC

All Weekend Long!

For more information or to invest today, visit DowntownWashMo.org/Invest

Grant Programs The Sign & Awning Grant program was established with the intent to encourage and provide financial assistance for improving the appearance, consistency, and overall effectiveness of

The Club House 301 West Front Street

merchant signage in the downtown area. Signs are as much a part of

Main Street America as the buildings themselves. The primary

The 2026 Main Street Now Conference was held in Tulsa from

function of signage is to identify businesses to customers. In

April 13–15. Natalie Cash, Maggie Hase, and Becky Pate attended

addition, signs contribute to the branding of a business and

on behalf of Downtown Washington, Inc.

the overall look of downtown and its buildings.

The national conference featured sessions on topics such as

Downtown Investors in the downtown district can apply to be

“Telling Our Main Street Story,” “Durable Leadership,” and “Making

a recipient of Downtown Washington lnc.'s Sign & Awning

the Case for Economic Development.” It provided a valuable

Grant. This grant provides financial assistance to encourage

opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from Main Street

improvements to the appearance, consistency, and overall

programs across Missouri and throughout the country.

effectiveness of signage in the downtown area!

Eight Nine Eight Cigar Lounge

20 West 2nd Street Suite 110

Out of more than 1,800 attendees, over 70 represented Missouri Main Street Connection, a strong showing for the state!