Community Events

OPEN STREETS RETURNS SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025!

Open Streets is a six-hour Saturday event which closes Magnolia Avenue to cars and opens it up to cyclists, food trucks, dog-walkers, skateboarders, yoga classes, face-painters and much more. The event is an expression of the Near Southside's community spirit in every way: local businesses set up activities along the route; neighborhood residents help spread the word about street closures and detours; and dozens of community partners take ownership of key planning details such as routes and activities, temporary public art projects, pet adoptions, bike safety courses, setting up and breaking down barricades on event day, and much more. Open Streets was presented by Near Southside, Inc. and the City of Fort Worth for the first time in 2011 and drew hundreds of participants. Since then, the event has grown to be one of the Near Southside's most beloved community events with attendance in the thousands and more than 120 community partners providing free activities.

Open Streets paused 2020 due to pandemic related concerns. We returned in 2024 and are thrilled to bring this event back to the Near Southside's Magnolia Village in 2025! 

Open Streets is a national movement with more than 90 documented initiatives in North America. Open streets events are increasingly common in cities seeking innovative ways to achieve environmental, social, economic, and public health goals by temporarily closing streets to automobile traffic, so that people may use them for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing, and socializing. 

WHAT IS OPEN STREETS?

Non-motorized rolling fun Bicycles, boards, roller skates & scooters

Healthy ways to get people moving Fitness, martial arts, yoga, pilates, obstacle courses, bike safety training, breakdancing, etc.

Environmental advocacy to ensure a healthy sustainable neighborhood

FREE family-friendly fun from more than 100 activity providers

Locally-made products Limited space is reserved for a market featuring handmade items by local artisans. Preference is given to Near Southside residents and business owners.

Open Streets is not solely about promotions, products or sales. It is not a market, music festival, beer bash or street fair.  

Open Streets is a community play-day dedicated to neighborly interaction, healthy activity, and complete streets awareness.  Learn more about complete streets here. 

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DATE Saturday, April 26, 2025

TIME Noon to 6 PM

LOCATION Magnolia Avenue from Hemphill to 8th Avenue

COST Free to the public

REGISTRATION for activity providers, food vendors, non-alcoholic drinks vendors, and volunteers is now open.

PARTICIPATE AS AN ACTIVITY PROVIDER

Are you willing to provide a free, family-friendly activity in exchange for the opportunity to have a presence at Open Streets? If so, we would love to offer you space as our partner! This is a great opportunity to promote your business/organization in a grassroots, community-focused manner. Or, if you have a special talent such as magic, juggling, metal forging, breakdancing, or acrobatics that you'd like to show off, we welcome you to join us on the street.

The activity provider application fee is only $25 and there are no other fees to participate if accepted. For less than the price of dinner, you can demonstrate your company's civic spirit to thousands of people in attendance.

Examples of successful actives from previous years include hula hoop competitions, kid's bicycle rodeo to teach safe riding practices, bike repair station, fitness obstacle courses, big wheel races, community yoga lessons, healthy grocery store shopping simulation, make your own wildflower seed bombs, etc. The wilder your activity the more fun Open Streets will be. Try to avoid predictable experiences that are found at other outdoor festivals and reach for ideas that will take people by surprise.

Your activity does not have to be directly related to your business/organization. Instead, think of your activity as a way to draw people to your booth so that you can build a relationship with the public and then share information about your business organization. For example, instead of bringing corn-hole boards try pantyhose bowling, Hungry Hippos while riding a skateboard on your belly, or "Minute to Win It Jingle in the Trunk". Don't know what these are? Google it for a laugh!

DEADLINE TO APPLY:  MARCH 24, 2025 AT 5:00PM

APPLY portal.nearsouthsidewfw.org 

If Open Streets 2025 is your first time applying to a community event with us, you'll first be directed to create a username and password for our website. If you're a returning partner, simply log in using your previously set-up username and password.

MARKET VENDORS

Open Streets reserves a limited amount of on-street space to showcasing local artisan markets. This year, Open Streets is partnering with three Fort Worth market collectives to curate our market areas. Each market will host just 22 vendors offering a specific focus products that align with our healthy communities Open Streets mission. If accepted, vendors pay a $75 fee to participate. FREE vendor applications are now open at https://openstreetsfortworth.org/

THE FINE PRINT ABOUT MARKET VENDORS

Vendors must apply directly with participating market collectives to be considered. Open Streets is not accepting market vendor applications directly this year, but instead deferring to the curation provided by these market collectives. Filling out an application is not a guarantee of a vendor space. Space is limited, and we must ensure quality and variety for each event. Completing an application means the applicant agrees to the following: A $75 vendor fee to be paid directly to your market coordinator within 48 hours of being accepted. No refunds, no exceptions. Vendors must provide their own 10x10 tent WITH WEIGHTS and any display items needed (tables, chairs etc). This is an OUTDOOR market with NO ELECTRICITY PROVIDED. Set-up may begin as early as 9am. The event ends at 6pm.

FOOD, SWEETS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS VENDORS

Participate in Open Streets as a vendor selling freshly prepared food, sweets, snacks or non-alcoholic drinks. We are seeking high-quality, healthy festival foods and treats. Interested food vendors can apply using a FREE application. Vendors are asked to pay a $250 fee to participate if approved.

Open Streets accepts only a limited number of food, sweets, and drinks vendors at the event to allow for strong sales for all vendors. Tented vendors, food trucks, and food trailers are all invited to apply. However, it is critically important to note that Open Streets does not provide power on site at the event. Food trucks with quiet generators are given top priority for inclusion as loud generators often ruin the festival atmosphere and bother other nearby partners. Food vendors are defined as businesses selling prepared food items that are designed for consumption at the event. Alternatively, market vendors are defined as businesses selling food/produce that are to be consumed after the event. For example, if you are selling freshly prepared nachos you would be considered a food vendor. If you are selling homemade jarred salsa you would be considered a market vendor and could apply to the festival via one of our market partners. All vendors are required to seek the appropriate permits from the Fort Worth Health Department and should anticipate an inspection prior to or during the event by the health inspector and fire marshal.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:   MARCH 24 AT 5:00PM

APPLY portal.nearsouthsidefw.org 

If Open Streets 2025 is your first time applying to a community event with us, you'll first be directed to create a username and password for our website. If you're a returning partner, simply log in using your previously set-up username and password.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Open Streets is produced by Near Southside, Inc. and Near Southside Arts, your non-profit community revitalization advocates. Our small staff of only six would greatly appreciate your help as a volunteer during set-up and break-down at the event. Volunteer duties range from simple tasks like taping signs to road cones ahead of the festival to serving in leadership roles as a block captain the day of the event. Minors are welcome to volunteer for community service hours so long as they are accompanied by an adult and are able to perform the duties of their role. Shifts are available on Friday, April 25  and Saturday, April 25.

Volunteers not only enjoy the pride of helping to make Open Streets possible but they also receive a few exciting benefits like access to indoor restrooms and a volunteer-exclusive Open Streets tee featuring our mascot Pete on the Street! We might also give you a walkie-talkie for the day and then a big hug for all your help!

SIGN UP TO HELP

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

NSI is seeking sponsorship for the 2025 Open Streets. Open Streets event offers the opportunity for community-minded businesses and institutions to gain publicity through their support of an exciting neighborhood street festival that has garnered widespread attention by both the media and the public.  The event that has become a treasured component of life in the Near Southside. Please contact megan@nearsouthsidefw.org to discuss sponsor opportunities. 

FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL All previous-years sponsors receive a first right of refusal.

CONTACT 

Megan Henderson Cultural Director 

Near Southside, Inc. 1606 Mistletoe Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas 76104

megan@nearsouthsidefw.org  | cell 817.966.1880

PRODUCER 

Open Streets is presented by Near Southside, Inc. and Near Southside Arts 

TAX INFORMATION

Near Southside Arts, managed by Near Southside, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Sponsorship contributions made to Near Southside Arts. are deductible as charitable donations. W-9 forms will be provided at your request.

Near Southside, Inc. is a private, member-funded, non-profit 501(c)(4) development company dedicated to the revitalization of Fort Worth’s Near Southside. NSI began as a small coalition of Near Southside businesses and community leaders and has grown dramatically over the last decade. We invite you to join us as we promote the redevelopment of Fort Worth’s Near Southside as a vibrant, urban, mixed-use neighborhood.