The Chemainus Business Improvement Association turns its attention from the huge community support garnered during the Fall Festival and Fun Run to the return of the Chemainus Moonlight Madness shopping event Friday from 4-8 p.m. after a one-year hiatus due to a change in COVID rules.
Boutiques, galleries, storefronts, restaurants and a variety of other shops will open their doors to the public for the one-day special event. Merchants will offer deep discounts in stores along with draws and giveaways. Stores will be hosting draws, prize giveaways and some will even have goodies. There’s something for all ages and interests.
“We are so glad to see this back in town again,” said Krystal Adams, CBIA executive director. “This event comes hot off the heels of the highly-successful Fall Festival event that happened on October 30. “We can’t wait to have the levity we felt with the Fall Festival come back into the town again.”
Santa is staying home this year, as Mrs. Claus isn’t thrilled about him being out so close to Christmas, but the event won’t lose any of its charm.
“Even though Santa won’t be here, we are really excited to show you everything that will be,” noted Adams. “The night is filled with shopping, eating and winning. We are also doing a big prize basket that people who have purchased from contributing stores between 4 and 8 p.m. will have a chance to enter. This basket is amazing and is filled with a little of everything.”
The Holiday Passport program is continuing and runs until Dec. 20. There are more than 50 participants, the most yet. The idea is simple, with each purchase of $10 or more at participating retailers, shoppers earn a stamp. Once shoppers have collected five stamps from five different businesses, they can enter to win a $250 gift card that can be used at any of the participating businesses.
“People look forward to this event, they wait for it,” said Adams. “And we couldn’t be more pleased with the amount of love and support local businesses are already getting from shoppers who want to save on gas and take advantage of the wonderful local small town shopping experience this holiday season.”
Moonlight Madness takes place throughout Chemainus including downtown, Chemainus Road and Old Town businesses.
CBIA president Chris Istace, executive director Adams and board members Christina Kemp and Julie Stevens recently presented the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank, represented by chair Dorothy Sandford, with a cheque for $4,220. The donation came from the proceeds of the Fall Festival and Fun Run in October.
Related story: Spirits soar during a Fall Festival celebration
“We are funding two-fifths of their holiday food bank needs,” noted Adams.
“I think that’s the most we’ve ever gotten in a single fundraiser,” pointed out Sandford.
The money will go a long way for those utilizing the food bank.
“Every year we buy gifts cards from 49th (Parallel Grocery),” Sandford indicated. “Now we’re going to bring that up. We’re going to be able to give them more money at Christmas.”
“We’re very happy to help,” said Adams.
She added Coastal Community Credit Union made it possible for the CBIA to donate as much as it did. Stephanie Hobbs and Doc (The Barber) Morrell did their part with additional individual fundraising.
“Hopefully, it inspires more to do more,” offered Istace.