In an effort to enhance the downtown and promote shopping small and local with experiences this holiday season, the Discover Downtown Huntingdon Committee has put together fun and festive business focused events. We hope you will consider participating in all or as many of the events as suits your business.
Below you will find information about each event and how to sign-up to participate. Please reach out with any questions or if you need suggestions/help with anything.
Saturday, November 25
Small Business Saturday
There’s No Place Like Local Shop Small Crawl
How it works………..
Shoppers can pre-order a limited-edition custom printed tote bag beginning November 8 for $10 (Cash Only) with pick up Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25 at Sweethearts Confectionery (723 Washington Street, Huntingdon).
Beginning Small Business Saturday (November 25) through Saturday, December 23, they will use their passports as a map of participating businesses, to shop, Dine and Discover Downtown Huntingdon. Then when making a purchase at participating businesses, they’ll earn stamps to complete their passports.
To be entered to win 1 of 3 prizes donated by participating businesses, they’ll drop their passports off to Sweethearts Confectionery (723 Washington Street, Huntingdon) by Saturday, December 23 or email a photo to discoverdowntownhuntingdon@gmail.com. Prize drawings will be Thursday, January 4, 2024, with notifications made Friday, January 5, 2024.
If you are interested in putting promotional materials in the 200 tote bags, they will be at Sweethearts Confectionery (723 Washington Street, Huntingdon) on Wednesday, November 22.
To be a participating business…….
- Sign up by November 8 at https://forms.gle/FgFUMJMvLVHidUy47.
- Donate a $10 gift certificate/card to be used as part of the prize drawing. Gift certificates/cards can be dropped off at Sweehearts Confectionery (723 Washington Street, Huntingdon) by Wednesday, November 22. If doing so when the shoppe is not open, please slide through the mail slot.
- When customers present a passport during checkout, simply mark your corresponding square with your business’s initials.
Saturday, December 2
Home for the Holidays, A Handmade Winter Market 10 AM – 4 PM
How it works………
Our first annual indoor pop-up market will take place on Saturday, December 2 from 10 AM until 4 PM. This event is designed to enhance the downtown shopping experience with participating businesses hosting local makers and artisan vendors that feature handmade products, perfect for gift giving this holiday season.
To be a participating business……..
- Sign up by November 8 at https://forms.gle/iiCjGZZurl69atT49.
- Invite local makers and artisan vendors to pop up in your business.
*TIP…Do you have a favorite local non-profit organization? Set up a by donation gift-wrapping station with proceeds going to them or invite the organization to set up their own gift-wrapping station in your store.
Saturday, December 9
Kids Kringle Shopping Event
Not to forget the littlest of shoppers, we’re offering a day focused on them with assistance in purchasing gifts for everyone on their list. Staff will help with shopping for items within their budget and gift wrapping of purchases.
*TIP…This would be a great day to offer a make and take activity, such as ornaments or stockings, that can be customized for gift giving. If you need some ideas, Pinterest is the place to go.
To be a participating business……..
- Simply sign-up by November 8 at https://forms.gle.bVrVWa3FsicibKCQ9.
Saturday, December 16
National Ugly Sweater Day
Let’s spread some holiday cheer in our ugliest sweaters/sweatshirts on Saturday, December 16 for National Ugly Sweater Day!
*TIP…Encourage customer participation by offering a discount, coupon, etc. to anyone wearing an ugly sweater/sweatshirt.
To be a participating business……..
- Sign up by November 8 at https://forms.gle/CY8igggK9AGU3C8j7.
- Wear your ugliest holiday sweater/sweatshirt.
Monday, December 18 – Friday, December 22
Dashing through the Shops
Participating businesses will offer extended shopping hours, until 6 PM, during their normal business days for last minute shopping the week of Monday, December 18 through Friday, December 22.
To be a participating business…
- Sign up by November 8 at https://forms.gle/UMMV5rhVCmN9oL5q9.
Wednesday, November 23-Saturday, December 23
Parking Meter Decorating Contest
To disguise the parking meters for free parking during the season, we’re covering them up with fund and festive decorations.
Contest rules and guidelines…….
- Registration opens Wednesday, November 1 and closes Friday, November 17 or once all meters have been reserved (whichever comes first),
- The contest is open to all local Huntingdon Borough businesses, community organizations, school groups and residents.
- Parking meters on the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of Washington Street and Penn Streets are available (if there is enough interest we will extend availability to other blocks).
- Decorating begins Monday, November 20 and must be complete by 5 PM Wednesday, November 22.
- Decorations must be able to withstand adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow and/or ice.
- Prizes will be awarded for 1st ($50 value), 2nd ($35 value) and 3rd ($25 value) places with a Discover Downtown Huntingdon community gift card.
- Community voting begins, via Google Form at https://forms.gle/xmgwA8WPsZM8Z1NS8, Thursday, November 23 and ends Saturday, December 23.
- Winners will be drawn Thursday, January 4 with announcements made via the Discover Downtown Huntingdon Facebook and Instagram pages and notifications made Friday, January 5, 2024.
- Decoration removal begins Tuesday, January 2, 2024 and must be complete by 5 PM Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
- Failure to do so will result in all items being disposed of and no longer being able to participate in future parking meter decorating contests.
To participate…
- Reserve a parking meter by signing up at https://forms.gle/ro68JqZZLPfqXq6n7. You will receive a confirmation email with the location of the meter you are to decorate. Parking meters will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis and availability is not guaranteed.
- Once your parking meter decoration has been completed, email a photo to discoverdowntownhuntingdon@gmail.com with your business/organization name to be added to the voting form.
A poster will be provided for you to display for promotion of the event and instructions on community voting.
Community Event Dates to Know
Friday, November 24
Black Friday
Christmas Tree Lighting 6-8 PM
Saturday, December 9
Christmas Parade 7 PM
Other items we’ve been working on…
Discover Downtown Huntingdon Community Gift Card Program
To keep local dollars local, we’ve partnered with Yiftee.com to create a new digital community gift card, simply named Discover Downtown Huntingdon. We’re thrilled about this opportunity and hope you will join as a participating business!
This one digital gift card can be used at any participating business and the program is free for merchants. To learn more and sign up, go to https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/discover-downtown-huntingdon?short_code=ztl5sqj8gqqs, scroll to the bottom of the page under “Become a Participating Business” and click the “Apply to Join” button.
Discover Downtown Huntingdon FB & IG
Please, like and follow these pages and invite your customers, friends, and family to do the same. Through a digital marketing campaign with The Daily News over the past several months, we have been promoting these pages as the place to learn about all things Downtown Huntingdon, including upcoming events and business spotlights.
And, for easy updates, communication and interaction, we have created a business owners/managers only group and we encourage you to join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/833519604978727.
Business Owner/Manager Contact List
We have been working to put together a master contact list of all business owners/managers. To ensure we have your correct info, please fill out the form at https://forms.gtle/jb1UURwv3kycDGgS7.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jana Weaver, 723 Washington Street, Huntingdon at (814) 643-3785 or wee.sweetheartsconfectionery.com.