Downtown Brenham First Fridays Farmer & Artisan Market

The City of Brenham rejoined the Main Street program in 1999, leading to significant improvements and over $2.85 million in reinvestment activities in its historic downtown district. Main Street Brenham's mission is to strengthen and facilitate the economic development of historic downtown, balancing historic preservation with strategic economic growth, in partnership with local government, business owners, and sponsors. It is part of the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Main Street Program and a member of Texas Downtown (TXD). The First Fridays Farmer & Artisan Market is one of the key events organized by Main Street Brenham to achieve its vision of continuous revitalization and economic vibrancy for downtown Brenham. The Main Street America network has been revitalizing older and historic commercial districts for over 40 years, with more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities participating today. Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Main Street Brenham program has been instrumental in the rehabilitation of countless historic structures, providing space for new businesses and creating jobs for local citizens. The program's success is built on a cooperative effort between sponsors, local government, business owners, and lending institutions within the community. The Main Street Brenham team is led by Leigh Linden, the Main Street Manager. The program also relies on passionate volunteers who help preserve and grow the community through various activities like design and beautification, small business support, and fundraising events. The Main Street Brenham's vision is to see continuous revitalization to preserve the unique character of downtown Brenham, while its mission is to strengthen and facilitate the economic development of the historic downtown for everyone. The program has produced an investment in these districts of more than $5 billion and spurred the rehabilitation of countless historic structures, w