Rhubarb: Your Favorite Fruit—and Festival
Thanks for the massive turnout this past weekend for Rhubarb Days. We had a blast putting it on, although your humble SMSA team is still recuperating from the weekend's festivities. The Tacoma News Tribune knows a good party when it sees one. Special thanks to our...
Strong Roots: Rhubarb (and Rhubarb Days)
Admittedly, we have rhubarb, and Rhubarb Days, on our mind. On that note, SMSA's resident historian, Dale Loseth, has produced a comprehensive website detailing all things rhubarb in the Valley. A little fun fact (courtesy of Dale's website): The Sumner area is the...
Your Weekend Plans Confirmed—See You July 9th and 10th for Rhubarb Days
We know this year's Rhubarb Days will be a community celebration worthy of Sumner. But just don't take our word for it—check out Travel Tacoma's profile of our upcoming community festival. From 75+ independent vendors to a kids' zone featuring the Tacoma Rainiers'...
Calling All Fashionistas
A big huzzah to JoJo + CoCo Boutique for their grand opening in downtown Sumner! For an upscale female boutique blending trendy and professional, look no further than JoJo + CoCo for your latest fashion needs. Check out the video for a sneak peak into the designer...
You Can’t Spell Rhubarb Days Without Knutson Farms
As we gear up for downtown Sumner's festival season, we want to express our gratitude to Knutson Farms for sponsoring downtown Sumner's signature event, Rhubarb Days. Deeply invested in our community, Knutson Farms understands the value of a culturally and...
Dine and Don’t Dash: Sumner Block Party
Calling all foodies! For all you dining aficionados out there (including yours truly), the Sumner Block Party has you covered. Spanning poke to pad thai, this latest Tacoma News Tribune article highlights the diverse food options awaiting you at our Block Party....
Stamps Are Overrated
If you ask, you shall receive (or something like that). For SMSA members looking for a straightforward way to pay membership dues, well, we have you covered. Courtesy of our IT department, we have created a QR code for members to pay their annual dues. With a simple...
A Beauty Shot: Downtown Sumner
Sumner—get ready for your close-up. SMSA is the proud recipient of a $3000 Washington Main Street grant. With the visual storytelling grant (thanks Washington Main Street!), SMSA has hired a professional photographer to capture the places, people, and personalities...
Rhubarb: Your Favorite Fruit (or Vegetable)—and Festival
Counting down the days until Sumner's signature event, Rhubarb Days? We are. COVID disrupted last year's Rhubarb Days but we are eagerly planning its 2022 return. Vendors—with spots filling up, please submit your completed applications ASAP. We will be highlighting...
Eat Your Heart Out…in Downtown Sumner
For all those foodies out there (excitedly raises hand), we have mouthwatering news. The city of Sumner has unveiled three restaurant grants totaling $320K! The grant application details eligibility (hint: you may be eligible for all three). To our food truck friends...
Main Street: Sleeping Lady Resort Style
Sleeping Lady Resort isn't the latest Main Street community, although it does come recommended. Rather, I just wrapped up a two day Washington Street Main Street conference with fellow WA state executive directors (you can see my smiling face in the upper right)....
Sumner: Center of the (Festival) Universe
A big thank you for supporting our inaugural Street of Eats/Community Beer Garden! We had a blast putting the event on. And judging from our multiple beverage runs, as well as our food trucks running out of delicious eats, we are thinking you did as well. As the...
World Famous (okay, South Sound famous) Street of Eats
Our latest "in the news" post is a little more literal. The Tacoma News Tribune knows a good story when it sees one. And this weekend in Sumner, there is no bigger story than our inaugural Street of Eats/Community Beer Garden. So, South Sounders, you now have Saturday...
A Sparklin’ Sumner: Sumner Façade Enhancement Grant Program
Downtown businesses and property owners, we know that building façade improvements are pricey. Understanding this reality, SMSA wants to do its part to help your small business. On this note, we are proud to unveil our Sumner Façade Enhancement Grant Program. The...
Pay Your B&O Taxes, Be a Community Champion
The tax man cometh—and rewardeth. Typically, the tax season invokes dread (see me warily eyeing that April 15th deadline). But it doesn't have to...really. For WA state businesses paying B&O taxes, you are eligible for a tax credit worth 75% of your contribution...
Designing a Beautiful Sumner: One Committee Member at a Time
We need you. Yes, you. Our phenomenal Design Committee is seeking an additional member. Ideally, you are interested in how design, historic preservation, and downtown Sumner intersect. Among this year's projects: a façade improvement grant for downtown businesses; the...
SMSA Office Hours: Your Attendance Required (no, not really…but much appreciated)
If Friday afternoon are the two best words in the English language, they just got better Sumnerites. The SMSA will be kicking off bi-weekly virtual office hours with its new executive director, Matt Loeb. Matt is looking forward to meeting, and chatting, with you...
Façade Enhancement Grant Program for Downtown Sumner Businesses
Façade Enhancement Grant Program for Downtown Sumner Businesses Sumner Main Street Association has announced two grant programs to provide matching funds for the beautification of downtown Sumner. The grant program aims to leverage Sumner Main Street’s investment in...
September 2021 Sumner Scene
A Community Block Party Aug 28thWhat better way to transition from summer to fall than a community block party! Today, August 28th from 3pm - 7pm the streets of Cherry and Kincaid will be closed to street traffic. Tables will be placed down Kincaid, a beer garden will...
Sumner Historic Homes
Classy Chassis Car Show – Sumner, WA 2021
At the yearly Classy Chassis car show in downtown Sumner, WA on Main Street. Watch the street transform into yesteryear as hundreds of cars arrive at the event for a fun and family friendly day.
5 cities, 5 days: Sumner, Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/5-cities-days-sumner-rhubarb-pie-capital-world/281-443750e9-371e-46fc-a115-8b13f0a4a8a4 Despite only having about 10,000 people living there, about 16,000 people work in Sumner, the largest manufacturing center in Pierce...
2021 Summer Sumner Scene
Classy Chassis Car Show Sunday, August 8thThis Sunday, August 8th, Sumner Main Street Association is hosting out annual summer car show, Classy Chassis. From 10am - 3pm, the streets of downtown Sumner will be closed to traffic and filled with nearly 200 classic cars....
The Importance of Main Street
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAIN STREET “From Mayor Bill Pugh: Sumner is very lucky. We still have a classic Main Street, and better yet, it’s a very active Main Street. And, bucking the trend for 2020, great things are happening on Main.” READ MORE
Downtown Sumner’s Americana turns to pure holiday ambiance in December
Downtown Sumner's Americana turns to pure holiday ambiance in December “Ambiance is the word you can’t avoid in Sumner during the Holiday season. But unlike some other “holiday towns,” Sumner’s ambiance has grown slowly, naturally over time. It was developed by...