Christmas kick-off weekend promotes shopping local

Residents have an opportunity to start their Christmas shopping during the Dec. 1-3 weekend as community events and discounts abound at local businesses.

The Christmas Kick-off Weekend begins on Friday, Dec. 1, in Ritzville. Local businesses have teamed up to provide specials and coupons for the weekend in order to promote shopping local.

A list of the businesses and specific coupons available for this weekend can be found on Page 10.

Ritzville’s very own Main Street hosts many gifts for the whole family including tablets, antiques, garden items and clothing. Gift certificates to local businesses, salon products as stocking stuffers, and sweet for all ages are always options to keep in mind during the holiday shopping season.

The City of Ritzville is partnering with the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce to host a campaign to encourage area residents to shop local this year. Jingle Bell Shop began on Nov. 23, prior to Small Business Saturday, and will run until Dec. 22.

To enter, residents must bring a receipt from a purchase at a local business to the Ritzville Public Library or City Hall. Every Friday in December, there will be a drawing for a prize basket. The four baskets are currently on display at City Hall.

With the receipt, shoppers can write their name and phone number on the back of the receipt and enter it into the drawing for any of the baskets. There is no limit to how many receipts an individual can enter, as long as each receipt is dated after Nov. 23.

For the third consecutive year, residents are invited to Christmas at the Carnegie, the official tree lighting ceremony. The lighting will take place on the front lawn of the Ritzville Public Library at 5 p.m.

Prior to the tree lighting, community members are encouraged to visit the Library and design their own ornament to hang on the tree. The “crafternoon” event begins at 3:30 p.m. and the Library provides the supplies.

At 5 p.m., Mayor Gary Cook will begin the Ritzville Holiday Festival weekend with the lighting of the tree, followed by caroling. After the songs, all community members are invited inside the library for cocoa and cookies, provided by the Friends of the Library.

Residents are invited to explore downtown as local businesses stay open late to provide an opportunity for shopping and taking advantage of special promotions offered. Many of the holiday specials extend throughout the weekend, and a few businesses have offers lasting throughout the month of December.

For those residents who are looking to purchase a live Christmas tree over the weekend, Boxwood Home and Garden has a large selection of holiday trees available. They also have a large variety of poinsettias and holiday garden arrangements in stock.

Saturday will continue to provide events for locals with the 44th annual Holiday Bazaar sponsored by the Ritzville Branch of the American Association of University Women. This event will take place at the Ritzville Grade School from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The event will host a wide variety of vendors selling items such as candles, bake sale treats, soap, cards and books. Additionally, Santa will be available for photos, which will be provided by Kayli Maier Photography.

On Sunday, the Ritz Theatre has adjusted their matinee show time to 2 p.m. The movie this year is “The Star” and local children are encouraged to attend the matinee performance. Admission to the movie, for all individuals attending the Sunday matinee, is being paid for through generous donations from the community.

Children attending the movie can redeem their ticket stub for a free popcorn during the Sunday matinee. The Ritz Theatre staff will also be handing out movie posters to those in attendance.

The Ritzville Fire Department will then deliver Santa to the theatre after the film around 3:30 p.m., where children will receive free treats from local firemen and Santa.

At 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, the Ralston Grange is hosting their annual Christmas Party and Potluck. The event is free and open to the public, and Santa will also make an appearance at the event.

All children will go home with a candy bag filled with treats, but parents are asked to bring one small, wrapped gift to be given to the children while they are visiting Santa.

Those attending are also encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share, and the Grange will provide beverages, rolls and table service.

The Christmas Kick-off Weekend serves as an opportunity for residents to support local businesses and organizations, and also to participate in community events where the holiday spirit is always strong and festive.