Spring Stroll offers free family fun in downtown Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM — Local retailers and restaurants are coming together to offer special giveaways and sales incentives for all ages at the annual Spring Stroll event, sponsored by Warby Parker. This event will take place in downtown Birmingham 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 13.

This event is free, but registration is required. To register, visit ALLINBirmingham.com/strollregister.

Upon registration, attendees will receive instructions on how to check in for the Spring Stroll. At the event, attendees will receive a bag for collecting swag from local businesses, an event map and an optional activity sheet.

As attendees are browsing local businesses for the latest spring merchandise, they will encounter promotions and giveaways from participating businesses.

In the past, most stores have offered giveaways during the Spring Stroll, but this year, most stores are offering shopping incentives and promotions that can be used on the day of the stroll. Some stores are even offering return incentives, in case someone wants to come back and shop at a later time.

“Last year was a huge success. We had over 30 participating merchants, and we expect this year to be the same,” Birmingham Shopping District Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Erika Bassett said.

Gazelle Sports store manager Matt Broadwell said they participate in the Spring Stroll every year.

“We want to do everything that we can to support the Birmingham Shopping District. We get a lot of support from them, so we want to make sure first and foremost that we’re always supporting them,” Broadwell said.

During the event, Gazelle Sports, 99 W. Maple Road, will have a coloring station for kids and will be handing out treats.

“We’re at this corner, and we get a lot of support from the local community, so anytime we can do something like this and give back, we want to make sure that we’re visibly participating in it,” Broadwell said.

The BSD encourages attendees to linger before and after the event to enjoy a meal at one of downtown Birmingham’s restaurants. If the weather is nice, guests might consider walking to Shain and Booth parks to enjoy their family-friendly amenities.

“Spring is a wonderful time to get out and about after the winter months. Our downtown is walkable and welcoming with its convenient parking options, centrally located parks and variety of shops, all of which contribute to the success of this strolling event,” Bassett said.

Visitors are welcome to park in the downtown’s five municipal parking structures where parking is free for the first two hours. More information on parking can be found at ALLINBirmingham.com/park.

In addition to this spring event, the BSD has a full lineup of summer events that will also be free and family-friendly.

“We’re always looking for ways to invite people from near and far to enjoy the variety of offerings that we have here in downtown Birmingham,” Bassett said.

For more information on the Spring Stroll and other BSD events, visit ALLINBirmingham.com/events and follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.