With the holiday season approaching, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce is preparing to host a number of events starting later this month, including some to promote shopping locally, according to a news release from the chamber.
The events include the 74th annual Santa Parade in Chehalis, a Great Receipt Exchange raffle and more.
In the past, the chamber has handed out Black Friday bags filled with promotional items and coupons for local businesses, but that program will not be returning this year.
“Following a poll we did last month, we have decided to not do the Black Friday Bags campaign. Instead, we will focus on the Great Receipt Exchange, Santa Parade and building programs to get people shopping January through April,” Chamber Executive Director Cynthia Mudge said in the release. “Member responses were low for participation and many indicated a need to bolster promotions during the winter months.”
The chamber does have 200 bags it can stuff to give out at other events, including the Santa Parade, and is working with Experience Chehalis and the Centralia Downtown Association for other opportunities to hand them out, Mudge added.
“So if you did order items, we will still stuff bags. Deliver items to the chamber office by Thursday, Nov. 21. Bring it with you to our Business After Hours Turkey Bowl that night, and we will stuff bags on Friday,” said Mudge.
Additionally, the chamber is also seeking donated items to fill Christmas stockings.
On Friday, Nov. 15, the chamber’s Great Receipt Exchange raffle will begin. In this raffle, shoppers can get a raffle ticket for every receipt of $10 or more they have from local businesses they shopped at.
“People can email receipts or drop them off at our office,” Mudge said.
Raffle prizes will consist of donated items from local businesses. The Great Receipt Exchange ends on Monday, Dec. 16, with drawings taking place at 1 p.m.
The 74th annual Santa Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, starting at 11 a.m. in downtown Chehalis. The theme is “Rock n’ Roll Christmas.” The registration form is on the chamber’s website at https://chamberway.com/events/annual-santa-parade/.
Cost to register is $50, $30 for nonprofits, and the deadline to register for the parade is Friday, Nov. 15. Completed registration forms must be turned in or mailed to the chamber’s office, located at 500 NW Chamber of Commerce Way in Chehalis.
December’s Business After Hours event will also feature the Chamber’s Ugly Sweater Contest. It will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jeremy’s Farm to Table, located at 576 W. Main St. in Chehalis.
Finally, registration for the chamber’s annual banquet, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24, in Centralia College’s TransAlta Commons, is open online. RSVPs are due by Jan. 15.
Individual seats can be purchased for $70 each and tables can be reserved for $500 each. To purchase a seat or for more information, visit https://chamberway.com/events-by-city/cc-chamber-annual-banquet/.
