Support your Community!
Ready to Support your Community?
The VDA’s 4 volunteer-led committees: Design, Promotions, Economic Vitality, and Organization, address different aspects of our exciting work centered on revitalizing downtown Vancouver. Join in, test the waters, see what is a good fit for you!
Promotions
Promotion creates excitement and vibrancy downtown. Street festivals, parades, retail events, and image development campaigns are some of the ways the VDA provides education on what’s downtown and encourages customer traffic. Promotion involves marketing an enticing image to shoppers, investors, and visitors.
Our Promotions Committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM at the VDA office located at 811 Main St.
Promotions Committee is currently full. Please submit your interest via the form below to be added to the waitlist—we would love to consider you for a future role!
Design
Design enhances the look and feel of our downtown community. Historic building rehabilitation, public art, street and alley clean-up, landscaping, street furniture, signage, visual merchandising and lighting all improve the physical image of downtown Vancouver as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in, and live. Design improvements result in a reinvestment of public and private dollars to our downtown.
Our Design Committee meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8:30 AM at the VDA office at the VDA office located at 811 Main St.
Design Committee is currently full. Please submit your interest via the form below to be added to the waitlist—we would love to consider you for a future role!
Economic Vitality
Economic Vitality involves analyzing current market forces to develop long-term solutions. Recruiting new businesses, creatively converting unused space for new uses, and sharpening the competitiveness of downtown’s traditional merchants are examples of economic vitality activities.
Our Economic Vitality Committee is in search of a new committee chair. Committee chair play an important leadership role, working in partnership with the VDA executive director develop the EV workplan and managing related assignments to make our initiatives come to fruition. If you are interested in participating on the EV as the committee chair, or to learn more about the position, please fill out the submission form below stating your interest.
Our Economic Vitality Committee meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 8:30 AM at the VDA office located at 811 Main St.
Economic Vitality Committee is currently full. Please submit your interest via the form below to be added to the waitlist—we would love to consider you for a future role!
Organization (Board of Directors)
Organization sets the direction for the VDA & downtown Vancouver’s revitalization. The VDA’s board of directors is made up of business and property owners, bankers, citizens, historic preservationists, public officials, and local economic development representatives.
Join a Committee / Inquire!
Spanish Tapas Cooking Class
Spanish Tapas! Join Chef Fabi for an evening of tapas making! Learn how to make several different classic Spanish tapas, which means, little bites! Become a pro so you can go throw your own Spanish tapas party for your friends and family this holiday season. Chef Fabi will be teaching you a variety of tapas such as, gambas al ajillo, pan con tomate, and or pisto! Learn to make it all with none of the work. What to expect: Class will include all instruction, […]
Driving to Victory: The U.S. Army Jeep
O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson Street, Vancouver O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson Street, VancouverDuring World War II, the United States and its allies fought over all kinds of terrain. The Willys-Overland 1/4-ton cargo vehicle, commonly known as the Jeep, transported the troops over all kinds of difficult terrain, from frozen mountains, to open plains, to swollen rivers. Jason Samples of the Vancouver Barracks Military Association will display his historic Jeep and other World War II artifacts. Samples, who spent several years in U.S. Army as a tanker, owns a number of historic vehicles, and he and his […]
Noche de Familia
“Noche de Familia?” Learn about academic options and resources offered at Clark College. Activities for children will be provided. Free food and beverages showcasing different cultures.
Queer Night Out
Kiggins Theatre 1011 Main St., Vancouver, WA, United StatesWhite Oak Books and the Queer Youth Resource Center present: QUEER NIGHT OUT! A fundraiser for the trans community. Come experience live music, drag performances and a silent auction featuring items from local Vancouver businesses! An opportunity to support Washington state’s trans community, and spend the night partying. Ticket Prices: $500 Platinum, $250 Gold, $100 Silver, $50 Bronze, $25 Basic. Get Tickets: https://www.kigginstheatre.com/checkout/showing/queer-night-out/1594496 Thu, May 1, 2025 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Doors 6:00 pm Kiggins Theatre 1011 Main St. Vancouver, WA 98660 3608160352
Boat Parade – Opening Day with the Columbia River Yachting Association!
Celebrate Opening Day with the Columbia River Yachting Association! Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM (approx.) Location: Vancouver Waterfront Join us for the 2025 Opening Day Boat Parade, a beloved tradition marking the start of the yachting season! This year, we’re expanding the festivities to the Vancouver Waterfront, bringing the excitement closer to local businesses, residents, and visitors. Watch as 100 beautifully decorated boats parade along the Columbia River, celebrating this year’s theme: "Celebrate Opening Day." Enjoy the sights of boats adorned […]
Spruce the Couve
Esther Short Park 605 Esther St, Vancouver, WA, United StatesAdvance registration is required and space is limited. RSVP today! Flower Planting shifts and Uptown Village are full, but we still need volunteers for the downtown cleanup! Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs department, Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Uptown Village Association and Parks Foundation for our annual Spruce the Couve event. Volunteers will be planting hundreds of flowers in Esther Short Park and working in teams to clean up downtown and uptown. Training, gloves, tools, water and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is […]
Making Friends with My DSLR
1007 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663When: Saturdays, May 10 - June 7 | Time: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Where: theARTScentered, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663 What: Master your DSLR camera and explore digital photography techniques. Gain confidence in manual mode and best photo practices. Who: Led by art educator Tom Relth Registration Required: Sign up at Above & Below Art Studio or mail payment to 2114 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660
Columbia Springs Kids Fishing Fest 2025
You're invited! Join us for our annual Kids Fishing Fest! The event includes: • Fishing for kids ages 5-14 with one of our expert fishing mentors • Fishing pole for registered fishers • Opportunity for registered fishers to catch and take home up to two fish • Hands-on science and nature activities for all attendees • BBQ lunch for all attendees (veggie options available) How: Advance registration for a fishing time slot and ticket purchase is required for all attendees ages 5 and over […]
May Hatchery Tour at Columbia Springs
You're invited! Join us for a Hatchery Tour at Columbia Springs. Have you ever wondered how old the fish are in the round ponds or how the hatchery operates? Learn all about the Vancouver Trout Hatchery on one of our hatchery tours! Let us know you’re coming in advance by registering at https://www.columbiasprings.org/guided-tours-2025 We will meet at 3:00pm. Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather! For more info: http://www.columbiasprings.org/events/guided-tours Photo by Paul Peloquin
2nd Annual Pollinator Festival
Marshall Park 1069 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA, United StatesMark Your Calendar: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Save the Date, Bring the Family—It’s Free and No Registration Required! Join Us for a Free, Family-Friendly Celebration! Pollinators are essential to our ecosystems—and they need our help! This festival is your chance to learn, celebrate, and take action to protect these amazing creatures while having fun with your community. TIME 9:00 am - 3:00 pm LOCATION Marshall Park 1069 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
2025 Vancouver Arts and Music Festival
Get ready to dive into a world of electrifying creativity July 31-Aug. 3, with the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, Washington! There is so much to explore at this free festival, with outdoor stages, local art vendors, a juried art exhibition, family activities and more. Esther Short Park will transform into a playground of creativity, where every corner holds a surprise waiting to be discovered. Immerse yourself in the rhythm of GRAMMYⓇ Award-winning artists Renée Fleming, Mark […]
2025 Vancouver Arts and Music Festival
Get ready to dive into a world of electrifying creativity July 31-Aug. 3, with the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, Washington! There is so much to explore at this free festival, with outdoor stages, local art vendors, a juried art exhibition, family activities and more. Esther Short Park will transform into a playground of creativity, where every corner holds a surprise waiting to be discovered. Immerse yourself in the rhythm of GRAMMYⓇ Award-winning artists Renée Fleming, Mark […]