Plenty of local shopping, winning opportunities

With the holiday shopping season getting into full swing, there’s plenty of opportunity to spend local and possibly get some prizes while you’re at it.

The Hometown Holiday is scheduled for Nov. 25, with Main Street having a “selfie” scavenger hunt, during which people take pictures of themselves in front of different businesses. People can contact the Chamber at 864-3192 to be put on the scavenger hunt list. Prizes for the hunt include the 2017 Christmas ornament or Chamber Bucks.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be present at Hazel-n-Pearl’s, as well as the Snow King and Queen, beginning at 4 p.m. Though there will still be lights in Bicentennial Park, there will not be a turning on ceremony this year. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meri Ann Rush noted the ceremony hasn’t had a big turnout.

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, people are encouraged to come and shop Thermopolis during the Merry Christmas Market from 5-8 p.m. Shoppers can pick up Bingo cards, and play by shopping at participating businesses. Those who get a Bingo will have a chance to win a basket of prizes from participating businesses.

In conjunction with the Christmas Tree Festival downtown on Dec. 9, Main Street is having a window decorating contest. Businesses who are interested in participating can contact Rush at 863-3192, and it’s not just for downtown businesses but those all over town.

Businesses should be decorated by Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25. Though labeled as a window decorating contest, businesses can also decorate entryways so they can be seen from the street.

For the 2017 Shop Local promotion, which replaces 21 Days of Christmas this year, people can take receipts dated from Nov. 25 to Dec. 17 to the Chamber office to be entered in a drawing. For every $100 spent locally, they will get a ticket in a drawing. Receipts can be combined, so the $100 doesn’t have to necessarily be at one business. For instance, a person could turn in a $20 receipt from one business, a $30 receipt from a second and a $50 receipt from a third. Rush said receipts will be initialed so people can’t bring in repeat slips, and for every $100 spent on Nov. 25 people will get two tickets.

Though receipts have to be dated before Dec. 17 people have until Dec. 19 to turn them in. The drawing will be at Pinnacle Bank Dec. 21, with prizes of a 32-inch television for first, a drone with a Wi-Fi camera for second and a television streaming device for third.

Don’t forget about the Elf Tree done by Department of Family Services, which will be up at Thermopolis Hardware until Dec. 15.

The tree, which is done for people who need a helping hand for Christmas, is decorated with ornaments that have children’s age, gender, clothes sizes and gift ideas on them. Those who decide to take ornaments can shop for gifts based on the information and get those presents back to the tree or the DFS office by Dec. 20.

During a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting, Greg Willson noted his building at Fifth and Broadway will be home to the chili being served by the Masons on Dec. 9 beginning at 5:30 p.m., and the prizes will be on display as well.

The Chamber of Commerce is open seven days a week, so people can bring in their receipts Saturday and Sunday as well. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closing 12:30-1:30 p.m. for lunch, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.