Blossom Festival organizers are teaming up with the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce and downtown businesses to celebrate the community and encourage people to shop local.
“It's a way to bring back to the business community, especially in the current times, you know, getting people downtown, getting people out celebrating the valley, having people travel here year to the Blossom Festival," said Jennifer Huscroft, festival president.
While the festival has always been well-supported by the community, several new initiatives are part of a bigger effort to engage more deeply with local businesses — especially given today’s economic climate.
“With the state of everything this year, we thought it was really important," said Huscroft. "So, we reached out to the the chamber, who's been fantastic in pitching it and helping organize it in a way to encourage more people to go into those businesses and support local.”
Jessica Piccinin, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said their main focus as a board has been relationship building in the valley, and they're thrilled to partner with a beloved, tried and true community event like Blossom Fest.
"Teamwork really does make the dream work, especially now when things feel so difficult, globally," she said. "Building these kind of relationships helps everybody succeed."
Window Contest
The many brick-and-mortar stops on Canyon Street will be decorating their storefront displays in a contest of who best embraces this year's festival theme – For the Love of Farming.
Photos of the decorated windows will be shared on social media, and community members can like, share, and follow to enter a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate. The winning business will have $500 worth of gift certificates purchased by the chamber to be distributed as prizes.
The contest is open to all local businesses, not just downtown shops or chamber members.
Buy Local Bingo
Starting on Mother’s Day, shoppers can collect stickers from participating businesses and win prizes like tickets to the Blossom Fest opening ceremonies and concert as well as local gift certificates by completing a row, or a full blackout, on their bingo card.
To make it accessible for everyone, the flip side of the bingo card includes free events and a separate special prize.
