HOW IT STARTED
The North of West Music Fest is a one-day music festival held within a variety of businesses in the St. Helens Main Street Corridor.
The original goal for this project was to build community and boost economic vitality, specifically in the Riverfront District.
The event was created in 2024 by local Riverfront business owners and St. Helens Main Street Alliance, in response to construction for The City’s Waterfront Redevelopment Project.
Months of construction significantly reduced foot traffic and forced the relocation of the popular summer music series, 13 Nights on the River, away from the Riverfront that year.
Main Street Alliance coordinated and convened the festival, in collaboration with four participating businesses who organized their own bands and managed their own social media promotions.
It was a highly successful proof-of-concept event, despite ongoing construction, and without organized advertising efforts.
We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community about the event.
Businesses in the Riverfront District reported a significant boost in sales that day.
Locations that weren’t officially participating in the festival also benefited financially from the event.