Holiday Stroll brings out shoppers

    Washington?s downtown area was hopping Saturday as shoppers took advantage of Main Street Washington?s ?Holiday Stroll.? The stroll was the first event in a series of events organized by Main Street known as Showcasing Nights of Washington (SNOW). The stroll featured a few promotions to entice local consumers to shop in Washington.

    Shoppers who bought items at 18 participating businesses received a stamp on their ?passport.? After collecting nine stamps, the customers turned in their passports and had their names entered into a drawing for $100 in chamber bucks. The winner of the drawing will be announced Dec. 14 during the ?In the Saint Nick of Time? event.

    Amy Vetter, director of Main Street Washington, said local businesses also competed in a few decorating competitions. There was a contest to create the best window display and also one to decorate the entire store. Shoppers who stopped by got to vote for their favorites. 

    There were also a number of musical acts that performed around the square.

    Bob Youngquist, Washington High School choir director, organized a group of students to walk around the square and sing Christmas carols. Youngquist said he and the students went through 40 Christmas carols and selected the ones they knew best. Youngquist said he was pleased to get students to volunteer to sing who weren?t even members of the high school choir.

    ?We?re singing a typical set but it?s still fun,? said Youngquist. ?It?s a great atmosphere for everyone involved and we?re just kind of sight-reading our way across town. It?s great to have that spirit locally.?

    Randy Swift played his guitar for a few hours outside Griggs Music Store on the north side of the square.

    ?I?ve had people come up and ask me to play a tune. I even got a tip,? said Swift. ?I?ve seen quite a few people walking around. Some out-of-town people have come by too.?

    PAWS and More was there selling treats to raise money for the animal shelter. Sheila Hanson, the volunteer board president of PAWS and More, said she was excited to participate in the stroll.

For the full story, see the Nov. 16 edition of The Washington Evening Journal