Join in Holly Days in downtown Elgin this holiday season
On Saturday, Nov. 26, the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, in partnership with the City of Elgin, will host a "Holiday Cheers" beverage crawl at over 20 participating businesses.
Tickets for the Holiday Cheers - Sips of the Season Beverage Crawl are available via www.downtownelgin.com/hollydays/.
This year, there are two options for patrons to choose from: a Yeti-styled insulted cup or a limited edition hand-thrown mug created by Steep N Clay.
Pick up your cup between 9 a.m. nad 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 22-23. It is highly recommended to pick-up your cup early to avoid lines on the day of the event. They also have event-day pick-up available on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon at the DNA office.
Sip and stroll as you support local businesses on Small Business Saturday.
Over 20 Downtown Elgin businesses will be offering a hot holiday beverage for you to sample on Saturday.
Beverage samples will include hot cocoa with festive toppings, warm apple cider, mint mocha, Ponche Navideño, warm tea, and more. Some locations will offer beverage add-ins such as a shot of alcohol or other treats for a small additional cost.
Each business will have its beverage available between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Complete details are shown on the map, available for pick-up at each location.
Also making a debut on Small Business Saturday will be a collection of decorated storefronts.
In partnership with Side Street Studio Arts, windows in the central Downtown Elgin business district will be adorned with family-friendly holiday murals created by a group of local artists.
DNA is planning opportunities to interact with the art via a public voting contest, photo opportunities, and other activities.
Head over to Festival Park Splashpad for the Elgin tree-lighting ceremony at at 5 p.m., with a live choir, and Santa arriving on his Holiday Fire Truck.
Additional components of Holly Days are also in the works such as indoor Holiday Pop-Up Markets happening on Fridays, Dec. 2-16, at The Ashbury events business, free Santa photos, and Holiday events happening at a variety of Downtown Elgin businesses and organizations throughout the month of December.
Also, mark your calendar for December 10th for the return of the Downtown Elgin Krampus Krawl.
DNA Executive Director Jennifer Fukala says, "Small Business Saturday marks the beginning of Holly Days so that we can support local businesses throughout the entire holiday shopping season with a variety of activities that appeal to a wide audience."
Spending money at a small business is not only supporting the owner and employees of the business, it is also making an impact on the entire community. For every dollar spent at a small business, about 67 cents stays in the local community.
For this reason alone Small Business Saturday and the entire holiday shopping season is especially important to the small business community.
A complete list of Downtown Elgin businesses open on Small Business Saturday, and those offering special offers, will be listed on DowntownElgin.com.