Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, is a neighborhood with a shrinking population and limited job opportunities. Census totals show a drop in residents from 7,790 in 2000 to 5,902 in 2012—a 25% loss compounded by the area’s 25% unemployment rate. Local development corporation, Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation (WHRF), seek to reverse this trend by promoting quality places. The focus of WHRF is on revitalizing the district known as Peeble’s Corner, where they host the annual end-of-summer Cincinnati Street Food Festival as a way to bring attention and investment to the neighborhood.

Along with great food and free admission, festival attractions include live music, a wide selection of beer, plenty of green space and seating, bike parking, and all kinds of activities for kids from drawing to basketball. Financial sponsors of the event receive placement on all marketing materials and, depending on the contribution size, they can contribute to festival naming or public speaking occasions. With a turnout in 2013 topping 3,000 visitors, sponsorship offers businesses a sizable base of potential customers and a mutually beneficial enrichment of the local economy. 

Photo credits, from left: Andrew Stahlke via Facebook, Andrew Stahlke via Facebook, Andrew Stahlke via Facebook, Andrew Stahlke via Facebook, Andrew Stahlke via Facebook, Andrew Stahlke via Facebook

Follow Walnut Hills Redevelopment Fund

Website: walnuthillsrf.org

Facebook: facebook.com/WalnutHillsRF

Twitter: @walnuthillsrf