ESCANABA — The summer sidewalk sales of downtown Escanaba, which aim to attract people to the business district on Ludington Street, are scheduled today and Saturday, July 25 and 26.

This year, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) hopes that entities other than simply retail shops will engage, breaking the mold that formed sidewalk sales in the past.

“It is an opportunity for businesses to put items out onto the sidewalk to offer some sales or some information about their businesses,” said DDA Director Craig Woerpel. “It’s not just for retail businesses. It’s also for service businesses, and then it’s in conjunction with a lot of other things that are happening in the downtown.”

Racks outdoors and special promotions may be found between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Beginning at the start of the event on Friday morning, East Ludington Gallery, which is located at 1000 Ludington St., will offer artist demonstrations, the first one being cardmaking with alcohol ink. The demonstrations are planned to be outdoors if weather allows.

During the hours of the sidewalk sales, the gallery is offering 20% off artwork purchases.

The Escanaba City Band will perform at Center Court (at the southeast corner of the main street with 11th) at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Jim’s Music and Teaching Center at 1512 Ludington has also signed up to participate in sidewalk sales. The beloved staple is offering discounts of up to 50% in addition to coupons for free music lessons.

At 904 Ludington St., sales at Leigh’s Garden Winery are for 20% off all merchandise.

Lisa Ann, address 1305 Ludington, is having a clearance sale for summer items with prices reduced up to 70%, while other items in the store are 30% off.

T&T True Value Hardware has also climbed aboard to participate in the sidewalk sales at 1104 Ludington St.

As of midday Thursday, only the above-mentioned five businesses were listed on the DDA’s website as participating, but signing up was not a requirement.

“You’re going to see businesses with stuff out onto the sidewalk that aren’t on the website,” Woerpel said.

Since the sidewalk sales are happening the same days as events like the RRN block party, Marina Fest and Jesus Fest, there’s likely to be traffic from one event also patronizing another.

The sidewalk sales event is one of five promotions organized by the DDA in downtown Escanaba this year. Restaurant Week and Spoil Mom Week have passed, and still to come are Downtown Days and Black Friday on Tuesday.