Downtown Sterling thrives because people choose to get involved.
Whether you have a few hours to give or want to take on a bigger role, there are simple and meaningful ways to help. From events to beautification to behind-the-scenes efforts, every volunteer plays a part in keeping downtown vibrant, welcoming, and growing.
How can you get involved
Event Volunteers
Help bring Downtown Sterling to life.
Our events are some of the biggest ways we support local businesses and create community experiences. Volunteers help with everything from quick event day tasks to the behind the scenes planning that takes place in the weeks and months leading up to the big day!
2026 Events Include:
Perfect for individuals, families, and anyone looking for a fun, flexible way to get involved.
Downtown Beautification
Help keep downtown clean, welcoming, and inviting.
Volunteers support hands-on projects that improve the look and feel of downtown and build pride in our community.
Opportunities include:
Team Up 2 Clean Up days
- Supporting public art and beautification projects
These efforts help create a downtown that people are proud of and want to spend time in.
Community & Committee Involvement
Help shape the future of Downtown Sterling.
Volunteers can take a deeper role by supporting ongoing efforts that strengthen businesses, enhance spaces, and build community connections.
Opportunities include:
Helping develop business promotions and spotlights
Supporting improvements to gathering spaces and public art
Assisting with event planning, marketing, and outreach
Supporting sponsorships, fundraising, and partnerships
Helping recruit and coordinate volunteers
These roles are ideal for those who want to be more involved and make a lasting impact.
Why Volunteer?
When you volunteer with Sterling Main Street, you help:
Support local businesses and entrepreneurs
Create events that bring people together
Improve downtown spaces and experiences
Build pride in our community
Every effort—big or small—helps strengthen Downtown Sterling.
Sign up to help at an event, join a beautification project, or reach out to learn more about ongoing opportunities. Whether you volunteer once or get involved long-term, there’s a place for you here.
Downtown Sterling…Industrious. Inspired. Inviting.
There are many ways you can get involved:
Using the Main Street America 4-Point Approach to downtown revitalization, our Board of Directors has identified a number of Transformation Strategies to help guide our efforts in creating a vibrant downtown. Our volunteer-based committees help develop and implement the tasks and activities towards that transformation. Opportunities to volunteer include serving on one of our 4-Points Committees (Design, Economic Vitality, Organization and Promotion); helping out with special events such as our annual Car Show, Hops on the Rock or Seasonal Sights & Sounds; and volunteering on a regular basis to help out at our weekly farmers market. Contact us and let us know how you’d like to get involved.
DESIGN: Creates a sense of place
Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 3:00 PM at the Sterling Main Street Office.
Enhances the downtown’s physical appearance while preserving its historic fabric and authentic character.
- Planning and implementing downtown beautification projects such as the lamppost flower baskets and other annual plantings; and our monthly Team Up 2 Clean Up days.
- Educating property owners about the façade grant program.
- Encouraging seasonal storefront decorating (i.e. special Christmas windows).
- Working with the Economic Vitality and Promotions committees and the city to help market vacant properties.
- Working with City of Sterling and Public Works for changes in aesthetics of downtown (i.e. Christmas decorations, changes in street furniture, etc.).
ECONOMIC VITALITY: Creates a sense of vitality
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4:00 PM at the Sterling Main Street Office.
Strengthens the local economy by supporting the existing base, fostering entrepreneurship, development, strategic recruitment and use of space.
- Working with existing business owners to provide support and connection to resources as needed for their ongoing success.
- Working with existing business owners to identify any issues or concerns to doing business in the downtown, and working to find resolutions to those issues.
- Recruiting as needed and working with property owners to attract new businesses to Downtown Sterling to fill vacancies.
- Providing oversight and support for the Shoppes at Grandon Plaza by assisting participating entrepreneurs, monitoring progress, and ensuring the project aligns with broader downtown economic development goals.
ORGANIZATION: Creates a sense of ownership
Brings the community together to build consensus and a common vision; develops partnerships that add resources and lead revitalization.
- Ensuring adequate and diverse funding for Sterling Main Street, working with staff to develop annual partnership campaign and follow-up needs.
- Working to develop a strong volunteer base for Sterling Main Street to fill committee needs and event and operational support.
- Building relationships with city leaders, business leaders outside of the downtown, and community members in general to build a common vision for the downtown in cooperation with the existing downtown businesses and property owners.
PROMOTION: Creates a sense of activity
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8:00 AM at the Sterling Main Street Office.
Positions downtown as a center of activity, markets its unique assets and promotes its positive image.
- Developing marketing assets for the downtown district.
- Working with the Economic Vitality committee to promote downtown Sterling as a good place to do business.
- Identifying new ways to promote downtown Sterling.
- Keeping website current and developing social media campaigns promoting the downtown and the businesses, events and activities happening here.
SPECIAL EVENT COMMITTEES:
Car Show (1st Sunday of May) and
Cruise Nights (1st Fridays – June, July, August & September)
- Planning begins 4-5 months in advance. Group meets 3-4 times in person, with much done independently and via email/Facebook. Day of event assistance.
Hot Dog Day (1st Friday of August)
- Planning 3-4 months prior to event. Group meets 2-3 times in person, with much done independently and via email/Facebook. Day of event assistance.
Hops on the Rock (2nd Saturday of October)
- Planning begins 6-8 months in advance. Group meets 3-4 times in person, with much done independently and via email/Facebook. Day of event assistance.
Sights & Sounds (1st Friday of December)
- Group meets as needed 4-6 months before event. Day of event assistance.
Other opportunities
TWIN CITY FARMERS MARKET:
Volunteers are needed from time to time to assist with Saturday morning Market tasks and special events held at the Market.
MURALS:
- Developing ongoing marketing and promotional plan for the murals.
- Monitoring the condition of the murals, and developing and implementing plans for ongoing repairs and maintenance of the murals.
- Developing a fundraising plan to sustain ongoing mural needs for both maintenance and marketing/promotion of the murals.
Additional volunteer opportunities are available from time to time in providing a variety of assistance on event days, distributing posters and fliers, and with other special projects. Committee structures and responsibilities may be modified from time to time to best serve the needs of the community and downtown.
