By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Into November we go. In Great Bend, that means an activity or business promotion each Saturday of the month, plus Black Friday specials.
The Explore Great Bend Month was created by local retail shop owners as a way to stir up shopping leading up to the holiday season. Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said there are 17 businesses participating in this year’s Explore Great Bend Month.
"The idea came up at our Great Bend retail meeting," said Hayes. "That started 14 years ago. They wanted to do something in November where there was a giveaway for the holiday season. They wanted to feature their stores so people might come to register, experience the stores and then shop local."
Citizens can sign up throughout the month's events for a chance to win a $1,000 first place prize, $500 second place prize and $250 third place prize. The winners will be announced after the parade on Nov. 30.
The month’s promotions begin this Saturday, Nov. 2, with a “Shop Local Day.” Each store will have their own “shop local” specials as the businesses prepare for more of their winter inventory.
On Nov. 9, the theme will be open houses. Nov. 16 will be a scavenger hunt in stores. Nov. 23 will be “Find the Turkey Day” with prizes awarded to those that find the turkey stuffed animal. Nov. 29 is Black Friday and then Nov. 30 will be the Home for the Holidays Festival and Parade.
Find more about Explore Great Bend Month at their Facebook page.