The Holidays are Almost Here!
December 2 and 3 Christmas officially comes to Fostoria and we would like to help your business boost sales and increase the number of customers through your doors this weekend and all season long.
On Friday, December 2 the Annual Tree Lighting at the Municipal Building will take place at 6:30 p.m. and the Fostoria Proud Christmas Card Display will return. On Saturday, December 3 the Holiday Sip & Shop at the Fostoria Learning Center will take place and the Rotary Christmas Parade will be held at 1:30 p.m. and Santa will return to the Depot.
Last year for Annual Tree Lighting, there were about 100 people downtown for the ceremony, and we anticipate more this year. Therefore, we are encouraging all Downtown businesses to have evening hours. We ask businesses to be open between 5:30 and 8 p.m. during which we will run, Shop Fostoria “Stuff your Stocking” event.
How it Works :
Shoppers will visit participating business and pick up a Red Christmas Stockings between 5:30 and 8 p.m. on Friday, December 2 (limit one stocking per adult). Each stocking will be pre-stuffed with a list of participating businesses and some stockings will also contain a gift card. Shoppers will travel from business to business “Stuffing their Stockings” with items provided by the business and of course making purchases. Suggested stocking stuffer items are candy, coupons, additional gift cards and small holiday items. Think Christmas Trick or Treat with a chance to win a gift card pre-stuffed in the stocking. Shoppers who travel to participating businesses and make qualifying purchases of $100 or more during the event will be entered to win a Downtown Fostoria Basket. Shoppers will have to provide proof of qualifying purchases to the Chamber no later than December 8 to be entered to win. Contest rules will be printed on the list of participating businesses in each stocking, published on the Chamber website and in a media release to the local newspaper.
To participate as business:
- Notify the Chamber of your intent to participate by Friday, November 11. You may call us at
419-435-0486 or email us at Sarah@FostoriaChamber.com to let us know.
- Contribute at least 2 gift cards to be stuffed in stockings for shoppers. All gift cards should be at the Chamber office no later than November 18.
- Provide small items for shoppers to “Stuff their Stockings” during the event
(see suggested items above).
- Be open on Friday, December 2 between 5:30 and 8 p.m.
- Help promote the event in store and on social media. We will provide graphics and flyers.
The Chamber is purchasing 288 stockings which will be pre-stuffed with a participating business list and contest rules. Some randomly selected stockings will have gift cards in them as well (donated by participating businesses). The stockings will be distributed to the participating businesses no later than November 30. Any left-over stockings may be used as giveaways on December 3, but we ask you remove the business list with contest rules prior to giving away. The Chamber will also publicize the event with media releases sent to local and regional news outlets and on social media.
We hope you will consider participating as we designed this event to help you gain new customers and boost sales. You do not need to be a Chamber member to participate. If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please give us a call.