Supporting Local This Holiday Season

Tiana Valler and I had been talking of doing a Christmas Stroll beginning last June. We were hopeful we could host an event that would bring businesses, artists, crafters, independent sales associates, eateries and bar establishments together, while promoting Lincoln and bringing people to town to shop, dine, stay, visit and get into the holiday spirit.

We had planned to work in conjunction with the Annual Craft Bazaar and Santa’s Workshop for the kids, both of which have been cancelled due to COVID-19, and provide maps and to advertise locally and in surrounding areas.

As with many other events this year, most of what we were talking about and planning will not be able to happen due to COVID, but we’ve been reaching out to come up with an alternative to still promote Lincoln and bring businesses together.

In place of an official event, local businesses are planning individual pop-up sales, featuring various artists, crafters, and independent/direct sales people in their establishments. In addition, the Lincoln Council for the Arts will be utilizing the pop-up sales as a way to distribute Santa’s Workshop “Take & Make Craft Bags” for children to pick on Dec. 5. Other local businesses and organizations have also donated “take-and-make” bags for the kids. The locations where kits will be available will be released in the next week or so.

Kids will also be able to drop off their letters to Santa at the Power House Gym that Saturday and pick up a treat bag from the gym owners, Rick and Patty Freeland. We’ve been trying to get Santa himself to commit to visiting, but he’s a pretty busy fella, so we can’t make any promises on that just yet.

What we, and local businesses are asking, is for folks to “spread the word” about the sales and such going on that day. Businesses will be advertising their shop, featured artist, crafter, or independent sales associates and the hours of their sale in the paper, so locals will know where to find what and who they are looking for. They will also be posting and advertising on Facebook. We’re asking that each person who is on social media to share the posts and information to gain a wider reach and bring people to town to shop during what is normally a slower time of the year for these businesses. You can also remind friends and family to come “Experience our Montana” without an official event. Invite them to take a drive to Lincoln, support local businesses and artisans, walk through the beautiful Sculpture in the Wild, eat at one of our local food establishments, have a drink at one of our local bars, and stay safe by spending the night in one of our local motels.

Tiana and I have been reaching out to local businesses and artists, but we’re just two individuals. We don’t want anyone to be left out if they would like to participate, and while we both know a lot of people and businesses in Lincoln, we don’t know everyone. If you or your business are interested in participating and being promoted, please reach out to us. Tammy at 633-0073 or [email protected] or Tiana at 362-4444. The goal is to have as many businesses and folks participating as possible.

More information will be in the paper next week, so please watch for it!