The holiday season is off to a jump start in 2023! It began this past Saturday with Shop Small Saturday, but will continue throughout the month. Here's a taste of some of the happenings the Gazette knows of so far.
This Friday, December 1, the annual First Bank & Trust Christmas Celebration will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Garretson at their location on 644 N Main. This event provides free entertainment for the entire community, with a model train set on display, the high school band performing at 12:00 p.m., and the high school choir performing at 2:30 p.m. Holiday treats will also be available for all who attend.
On December 2, St. Rose of Lima is hosting its annual Christmas Tea. Social time begins at 1:00 p.m. with appetizers, treats, and hot drinks. At 1:30 p.m., the St. Rose Folk Group will perform. All ladies and girls are encouraged to dress in their tea time best and enjoy.
Next week Saturday, December 9, Garretson will celebrate its annual Hometown Christmas event. Encouraging people to shop small, as well as gathering as a community, is the goal for each year.
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On Monday, December 11, the Garretson Middle School and High School Band and Choir will have its Concert and Pie Social. The social will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the concert will start at 7:00 p.m. All proceeds for a freewill donation go toward supporting the music programming at the Garretson School District.
At Hometown Christmas on the 9th, the Garretson Commercial Club is bringing in favorite events such as time with Santa and the Parade of Lights, and local organizations and businesses are going all out. The Legion will be holding its community breakfast on Saturday morning, and the Fire Department will be hosting a chili feed and bingo in the evening.
In between, a vendor fair, kids crafts, a bake sale and silent auction will be available in the afternoon. The museum will be open, and the food pantry will be having an open house.
Events will not be the only items on the list, as businesses will have reasons for you to head on in and patronize their shops. Palisades Art Gallery will be open and showcasing local youth talent with their coloring contest (get your submissions in before December 8!), Palisades Chiropractic is hosting Treatment for Tots, where a donation of a new toy valued $15 or more will earn patrons a free chiropractic adjustment, The Combine will hold an Ugly Sweater Contest, and The Gulch will belt out tunes with karaoke.
Maddie Shepherd on Fundera by Nerdwallet pointed out that, "Small businesses generate $68 of local economic return for every $100 spent with them, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to our economy if every US family spent just $10 a month at a local business, and small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to community causes."
Garretson as a community has always been proud of its local businesses, and has had a strong showing over its history. While everyone reminisces about the businesses that have come and gone, the community still boasts of a locally-owned grocery store, two convenience store/gas stations, three restaurants, a chiropractor, a boutique, a coffee shop, and a bank, just to name a few. Local support has been the foundation block for success as a community.
The annual Parade of Lights is a fun time, and will be held on Main Street at 6:00 p.m. on December 9. The event has been popular each year with both attendees and participants. Anyone is welcome to join the parade, with the only requirement being a decorated vehicle or float of some kind. Anyone who prefers to pre-register can do so at https://visitgarretsonsd.com/hometown-christmas, otherwise entrants can just show up around 5:30 p.m., according to organizer John Brinkman. Entrants will be lining up along 5th Street, to the east of Main.
Plan to enjoy the events and shopping opportunities offered in Garretson in December, and continue to shop local for this holiday season. The Garretson Commercial Club thanks you for your support!
Shop Garretson First winners
The Garretson Commercial Club and Garretson Food Center are hosting the Shop Garretson First Campaign, where every dollar spent gets a punch at local Commercial Club businesses. Full punch cards can then be turned in to Garretson Food Center, and winners are drawn each week for Garretson Gift Certificates. Drawings were held on November 19 and November 26, and the winners for $25 gift certificates are Pam Zendrian, Brenda Burch, Pete Williamson, Bev Howe, Ben Stenhoff, Laurie Bennett, Steve Peters, and Ruth Hoiland. Stay tuned and turn in your cards before Sunday for this week's drawing, where four more will be chosen! On Saturday, December 9 a final drawing will be held, where two lucky winners will receive $50 gift certificates.
Thank you for Shopping Garretson First!
-The Garretson Commercial Club
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