If Thanksgiving, the cold snap and snowflakes in the air have failed to bring on the holiday mood, then let Durango’s merchants come to the rescue.
It is Noel Night, and thanks to the efforts of Local First and Durango’s eager merchants (and a boost from volunteers), the event has evolved from a Christmas shopping gimmick into a genuine community event.
It would be a mistake to let frigid temperatures or a case of “bah, humbug” keep you from joining in.
Of course, holiday gifts are still the heart of Noel Night (a bit of a misnomer since the event runs all day). Store discounts will range from 10 percent to 20 percent and more, with a few merchants offering more based on a roll of the dice, a spin of a wheel or, in the case of Out of the Blue, a shot at a target with a Nerf gun.
For the kids, Santa will kick off the festivities with his arrival by helicopter at 4:30 p.m. at Fanto Park. The North Pole Workshop extended apologies that Santa’s reindeer will not be with him. They need to rest, a news release explained, for their big flight on Christmas Eve.
Promising to be easier on the ears than Santa’s whirly bird are no less than 20 music and dance performances by solo artists and groups at stores, taverns and the Main Mall. Not all the music will be inside; the Durango Barbershoppers, Women’s Prerogative and Escalante Band Carolers will entertain along Main Avenue.
Pouncing on an opportunity to catch locals in the giving mood, the Durango Swim Club hosts a family-friendly fundraiser at El Rancho Tavern (yes, you read that right) that includes dinner, a silent auction, a bake sale and a chance to win a new bicycle.
And speaking of bicycles, Mountain Bike Specialists will host a locals’ registration party for the 2017 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.
With extended Trolley hours and hospitality parking in city and business lots right downtown, Local First has covered all the bases.
We should reward the effort by putting local stores at the top of our shopping lists this year.
