Salem Main Streets' nonprofit mission is the continued revitalization of downtown Salem as a vibrant, year-round retail, dining, and cultural destination through business retention, recruitment, and promotion of the downtown district - a district of over one square mile that includes over 250 active storefronts, multiple cultural attractions and historic assets (including a National Park Service site), and almost a third of the citys population. SMS provides direct and indirect business support to the district, runs multiple community events year-round, including the Salem Farmers Market, and partners on numerous community initiatives with the intention of both engaging residents and attracting visitors. We strive to make downtown Salem a place where people can live, work, and play all year-round.

Much of this work is unseen and not particularly flashy - but it all pays off. In addition to a full calendar of community-focused events, the downtown district now boasts an incredibly low commercial vacancy rate of ONLY 2%, and 90% of our storefronts are locally-owned and operated!!! And every little dollar we can raise helps make that happen.

Your participation in our first virtual 5K directly helps to support the community you love for a pledge of just $25! Participants may choose to complete the 5k at their own pace, on their own schedule, and in their own way (run, jog, walk, scoot, glide, bike, horseback ride, etc.) any time during the month of August.

When you prepare for, progress along, or celebrate completion of the 5k, please consider posting photos to all social media platforms and be sure to include this hashtag below -- and tag us using @salemmainstreets on Facebook or Instagram; or @salemmainstreet on Twitter -- so Salem Main Streets staff and everyone else can follow along with you!

#SMS5k2022