First Thursdays Commitment
Experience St. Peter | 2026
First Thursdays are a monthly downtown activation designed to rebuild foot traffic, trust, and repeat visits. To keep these events sustainable and fair, participation is clearly defined.
Event Overview
When:
First Thursday of each month, 4–7 PM
Exception: July — Christmas in July every Thursday except the first
Who:
Downtown retail businesses (typically)
Purpose:
Build consistent downtown habits, visibility, and long-term loyalty
Participation Requirements
Full Event Participant
By committing as a participant, your business agrees to:
Participation Fee: $150 per event
• Commit to three consecutive months at a time
(to keep website and marketing work minimal)
• Host a themed in-store experience
(examples: tastings, demos, giveaways, styling moments, mini activities)
• Stay open for the full event window (4–7 PM)
• Share the event at least twice on your social platforms or email list
• Coordinate your experience with the monthly theme
What the $150 Participation Fee Covers
Your fee supports the shared foundation that makes the event possible:
• District-wide event marketing and promotion
• Event listing on the Experience St. Peter website
• Inclusion in event maps, guides, and promotional materials
• Ticketing and administrative tools (when applicable)
• Event insurance coverage
• Planning, coordination, and execution by the organizing team
This fee is a marketing and infrastructure investment — not a guarantee of same-night sales.
Added Benefits of Being a Paid Participant
Only paid participants receive:
• Inclusion in all official event marketing
• Placement on event maps and suggested routes
• Directed foot traffic through promotions
• Recognition as an Official First Thursday Participant
• Insurance coverage tied to the event
Businesses that do not participate may stay open but are not included in promotion, maps, routes, or event messaging.
What Success Looks Like
First Thursdays are designed to create this cycle:
Habit → Trust → Return
People show up → they have a positive experience → they come back later.
While sales may happen the night of an event, the primary goals are:
• Increased foot traffic
• New and returning customers
• Stronger downtown awareness over time
A Shared Understanding
First Thursdays work best when:
• Expectations are clear upfront
• Costs and effort are shared by participants
• Businesses commit with a long-term mindset
If you’re looking for a guaranteed sales night, this may not be the right fit — and that’s okay.
If you believe in building downtown momentum, loyalty, and visibility together, we’re excited to have you participate.
Ready to Commit?
Warmly,
Julee & Lisa
Experience St. Peter