Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Shoppers, mark your calendars for some special savings as several local businesses host this year’s Main Street Mania event.
“Nov. 21, from 6 to 10 p.m., we’ll host the sixth annual Main Street Mania event, co-sponsored by the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce and the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee,” said Kim Kennedy, one the event organizers. Main St. will be closed to traffic during the four-hour event, following City Council’s recent approval to close a section of downtown from Academy St. to State St. to ensure pedestrian safety as they travel from one side of the street to the other, checking out what the many businesses participating have to offer.
Activities will actually take place at businesses along Main St., from Governor’s Restaurant, all the way up to Mojo’s.
“Participating businesses this year include: A&J Florist, Country Collectibles, Governor’s Restaurant & Bakery, Hand Me Down Antiques & Children’s Used Clothing, Merchants on the Corner, Mojo, Morning Star Art & Framing, Stew’s Downtown Sight & Sound and Wilder’s Jewelry Store,” said Kennedy.
In addition to the many shopping opportunities and great savings available for the annual event, participants can also take part in caroling and a fund-raiser.
“The parking lot between Wilder’s and Country Collectibles will be the site of a fund-raiser for the Logan Graves Foundation. For those who enjoy singing, a group will be caroling in the city, led by Kim Smith of the Presque Isle Historical Society.
Carolers are asked to meet at 20 Academy St. at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
“The Historical Society will be actively participating in this year’s Main Street Mania. We’ll meet at 20 Academy St. look for the Historical Society banner on the porch railing, where songbooks will be handed out,” said Smith.
The group will travel from Academy St. to Main St., spreading holiday cheer, through song, as they go, traveling in a circle back on Academy St..
“We will proceed as a group down to Main St. where we will ‘carol’ for a couple of businesses. We will then proceed up State St., stopping at a couple of homes, then down Third St. again, stopping at a few homes,” said Smith. “We’ll end at 20 Academy St., hopefully somewhere between 7:30 and 8 p.m. where we’ll enjoy hot chocolate.”
Smith encouraged participants to, “bring your friends and family.”
Music will also be provided by one of the downtown businesses, with lighting included to set the holiday shopping mood.
“Christmas lights will be up downtown in time for Friday’s festivities. Music is also being piped out from Stew’s,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said shoppers have the opportunity to register for prizes throughout the night.
“Participants can shop and enter to win the grand prize and other in-store drawings from participating merchants,” she said. “But in order to register for the grand prize valued at approximately $500, those taking part have to have signatures from each participating store.”
The grand prize, according to Kennedy, will be a basket of goodies comprised of merchandise and gift certificates from the participating businesses.
Prizes and other savings being offered by local businesses include everything from discounts of 10, 20 or more percent on purchases, various prizes, as well as gift certificates ranging from $10 to $100. Refreshments will also be offered throughout the night.
Theresa Fowler, executive director of the PIACC, is looking forward to Friday and hopes it will help get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
“Let’s kick off the Christmas season in Presque Isle with a busy shopping night,” said Fowler.
Kennedy is very enthusiastic about the upcoming event.
“We’re (participating businesses, organizations and sponsors) exited. The event continues to grow each year. We encourage everyone to come out and bring their family and friends for a fun-filled evening of great savings, music and more,” said Kennedy.
In the event of bad weather, a storm date has been set for the following night, Saturday, Nov. 22, for the same time period.
For more information, contact Kennedy at 764-0309 or Fowler at 764-6561.
