Smiths Falls’ Downtown BIA reports record attendance and revenue from summer events
SMITHS FALLS — Thousands of visitors and hundreds of thousands of dollars were generated this year as the downtown drew record numbers to town thanks to collaborative efforts.
Smiths Falls’ Downtown BIA chair Cristin Storms presented the year-end report to council on Nov. 10, outlining promotions, beautification work and plans for 2026. She said this year’s goal was clear: “Strengthen our downtown economy and give people more reasons to visit all year.”
Bike Night was a huge hit as it generated nearly $100,000 in reported revenue for downtown businesses this summer, Storms said. She highlighted growth in event attendance, new customers, and expanded marketing efforts.
This series was introduced in June and became the BIA’s signature draw. The first event attracted about 1,000 people with 10 vendors. Attendance climbed over the next three events which happened once a month.
“By the fourth event we were seeing 4,000 to 5,000 people downtown, 40 vendors and live music,” she said. “Businesses reported just under $100,000 in revenue from Bike Night alone.”
Storms said other events, including the night market, downtown music series, Mystic Market, Skele-Bration and the cookie crawl, brought in new customers and generated strong foot traffic.
Beautification projects included new banners, flowers and the Russell Street parkette refresh. Storms also noted a jump in associate business memberships.
“We’ve welcomed a record number of new associate members,” she said. “They have faith in what we’re doing and want to be part of it.”
For 2026, the Smiths Falls BIA plans to expand Bike Nights, bring the night market back to Beckwith Street, grow the cookie crawl, and launch a new fall weekend festival. The summer social will be retired and replaced with a new “celebration weekend” concept. The BIA has requested funding support from the town to help scale the work.
Mayor Shawn Pankow credited the BIA with drawing visitors and dollars into Smiths Falls.
“Every time you filled the downtown, the ripple effect went far beyond those blocks,” Pankow said. “Restaurants, gas stations … everyone felt it. You brought people here and created a strong first impression.”
Coun. Jennifer Miller, who serves as the town’s representative on the BIA board, echoed that.
“This is the hardest-working group in Smiths Falls. I can’t keep up,” Miller said. “People are coming here because they’ve heard about what’s happening downtown.”
Miller said customers have told her they travelled from other communities because they had heard about the events.
Storms closed by thanking Smiths Falls council for its continued support.
“We remain committed to strengthening our core through collaboration and engagement,” she said.
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