Businesses are banding together for one night of deals, discounts and Christmas fun on Nov. 29, thanks to the efforts of the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce.
Moonlight Madness offers businesses an evening to stay open late — often as late as midnight, though each business sets its own hours. The event encourages shoppers to purchase Christmas presents from local shops.
“The chamber is a huge advocate for shopping local,” chamber member Christine Jensen said. “We want to keep our businesses alive and the market active.”
The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and will finish with Santa Claus’s float. Tree lighting at the riverfront will follow the parade, and Santa will do the honours.
“We will be having fireworks that are donated by a collaborative bunch of businesses,” Jensen said.
Photos with Santa will be done by Buy-Low Foods in a heated tent next to Northern Lakes College. The tent will double as a warm-up zone for cold shoppers.
Moonlight Madness’s contest this year is bingo. The bingo cards, which have the names of participating Moonlight Madness merchants printed on them, can be found in the Moonlight Madness flyer in the Advocate.
“Shoppers complete lines on the card by making a purchase or other designated interaction with those merchants,” said Jensen.
Bingo prizes are gift certificates from local shops.
