After hosting Riverfront Market Day, the Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival and the Inegrity Worldwide 5K Run for Kenya, our downtown area has become quite the event host and showcased its charm beautifully in the process.

As 5K runners raced down Dallas Avenue and weaved through Lauderdale Street and Water Avenue, they had the opportunity to see vendors setting up for Market Day. And as shoppers weaved through booths and checked out handcrafted items at Market Day, they were exposed to the novelty our downtown offers.

It’s events like these that give the waterfront an opportunity to be seen and used to attract visitors to Selma. Not many cities have the asset of a historical downtown to lure in outsiders.

And the great thing is, more events are coming soon which will again showcase our historic beauty.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee will bring life to downtown Selma when crowds march over the bridge Feb. 28 through March 4. Then, immediately following Jubilee, The Alabama River Chili Cook-Off will be held, enticing residents and out-of-towners to walk our streets and see the great things Selma has to offer. Then, May 4 and 5, Arts Revive will host Street Fest, an event guaranteed to draw in folks by the many.

So, as we begin booking our calendars for the upcoming months, there is no excuse not to squeeze in downtown events that will ultimately benefit our city and encourage visitor spending.

We have a beautiful strength here in Selma, and that’s our historic downtown area. And it’s only getting stronger.