Downtown, Food Trucks, & First Fridays
The City of Springfield is always looking for new ways to improve downtown and create an atmosphere that appeals to both visitors and residents. One of the biggest complaints we heard about downtown was lack of restaurants.
DID YOU KNOW:
If you were born before January 1, 1965 you can request to have the $3 paper billing fee removed from your monthly water bill. Contact City Hall to sign up for E-billing today.
As a way to increase food options in downtown, the Mobile Food Vending Ordinance was adopted in 2019. Food Trucks seemed like a great solution but Springfield still wanted to make sure rules were in place that would protect our existing restaurants. The ordinance limits how often a food truck can come to Springfield, where they can be, and requires them to get a license from the city and a permit from the Dept. of Public Health or Dept. of Agriculture.
Mobile Food Vendors can get an annual license to vend in Springfield all year, or a temporary, one-time license.
It took a few years to get the word out that food trucks were welcome in downtown. To gain more interest Springfield started First Fridays. For this specific day of the month food trucks were invited downtown. Residents could look forward to having a different dining option and businesses could capitalize on the extra people and activity downtown. While this helped a little, it wasn’t as popular as anticipated, so Springfield took another step forward and started First Friday Family Nights in the summer months.
First Friday Family Nights started in 2022 and ran May to August with a simple three phase plan: place food trucks next to City Hall; have an activity at the Mars Theatre; and encourage downtown business participation. In 2023 Springfield added themed nights with matching decorations, more food trucks, extra tables, downtown scavenger hunts, and a vendor market. The community and businesses responded so well that in 2024 September was included – along with yard games for the kids, extra seating near the food trucks, and tents for more shade. It was a success!
Planning for 2025 is underway and while we are still making improvements, this year we will have five Family Nights from May to September. Expect food trucks next to City Hall, movies/events at the Mars Theatre, downtown scavenger hunts, First Street vendor market, and hopefully extra sales and activities from our downtown businesses. For more info follow us on Facebook or visit the city website at:
www.SpringfieldGA.org/Friday.
We hope to see you there!
MARS THEATRE SPOTLIGHT:
The City of Springfield is delighted to announce that Maddie Greer has been selected as Director of the Mars Theatre.
Born and raised in Effingham County, Maddie brings a deep-rooted passion for the arts and community engagement. After earning a degree in Multicultural American Literature and Film from the University of Georgia, she actively contributed to Athens’ vibrant arts and music scene through volunteer work with the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art (ATHICA), an independent, non-profit arts space dedicated to innovative contemporary art.
Since moving home to Effingham, Maddie has enjoyed highlighting the richness of our local culture by writing for independent publications such as The Savannahian and The Savannah Agenda. She is also incredibly passionate about her volunteer work with Film Biz Recycling, Georgia’s first and only nonprofit prop house and creative reuse center.
As Director of the Mars Theatre, Maddie aims to honor the venue’s rich history while introducing engaging programming that resonates with both long-time residents and newcomers. Her vision includes fostering deeper community connections and enhancing the Mars Theatre’s role as a cultural cornerstone in Springfield and beyond. She loves supporting local artists and advocating for arts education and can’t wait to get to work using the transformative power of the arts to enrich her beloved community.
SAVE THE DATE: 11/8/2025
The date for the 2025 Springfield Fall Festival is set!
www.SpringfieldFallFestival.com
2025 First Friday Family Nights
MAY 2 / JUNE 6 / JULY 4 / AUG 1 / SEPT 5
City Contacts:
Administration & Council: jsmith@springfieldga.org
Accounts & Billing: billing@springfieldga.org
Police Dept. and Court: dseagroves@springfieldga.org
Public Works: springfield@eomworks.com
Building & Zoning: ephillips@springfieldga.org
City Manager Matt Morris: mmorris@springfieldga.org
Mayor Barton Alderman: balderman@springfieldga.org
Police Chief James Woodcock: jwoodcock@springfieldga.org
City Calendar
Olde Effingham Day
4/19/2025
Living History Site on Early Street
Revolution the Run
5/3/2025
5K, 10K, & Kids Fun run at Ulmer Park
Honor Flight Send Off
5/16/2025
Laurel Street at 8:00am
Senior Class Parade
5/16/2025
Laurel Street at 8:45am
Springfield Century Ride & Slow Ride
5/17/2025
100K, 50K, & Kids local Bike Ride
Freedom Parade
6/7/2025
Effingham Heros Parade on Laurel Street
City Calendar
View all Public Meetings on our Calendar.
Click the “City Calendar” link in the upper right side of this page menu.
The Planning & Zoning Board generally meets on Monday the week prior to Council at 6:00pm.
The City Council & Mayor regularly meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 6:00pm.
The Downtown Development Authority generally meets on the third Monday of the Month at 5:30pm.
Meeting Agendas for Planning Board and Council are posted here:
springfieldga.org/agenda-center