Newport’s holiday season is right around the corner and with that comes a number of traditional family fun festivities and hours of sensational shopping throughout the County during the 3rd Annual Holidays by the Sea initiative.
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce along with members of their board and its Retail Committee created the Holiday Shop and Stroll just three years ago. The Chamber’s Retail Committee’s concentration during the holiday season is to promote and expand the THINK LOCAL Campaign through joint marketing efforts.
All Merchants, Chamber members and non-members alike, are encouraged to participate in the Holidays by the Sea Retail Initiative (formally known as Cities by the Sea Holiday Shop and Stroll) featuring raffles, decorations and holiday marketing campaigns.
Holidays by the Sea will begin on November 27th and run through December 31st. The name has changed, the schedule has changed but the mission stays the same. Light up Newport and bring the visitors here to enjoy our seaside community while dining, shopping, exploring and staying! Merchants are encouraged to decorate with white lights, and organizers are working to get even more on the streets for the holiday festivities.
Participating retailers will be offering special discounts and promotions as well as presenting shoppers with the opportunity to enter the weekly shopping spree raffle. The shopping spree raffle will consist of multiple gift certificates from participating retailers. Two winners will be selected each Friday beginning December 4th. Shoppers are encouraged to visit retailers weekly for more chances to win.
The Chamber will be hosting a press conference on Wednesday, November 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Perrotti Park to highlight THINK LOCAL and the Holidays by the Sea which will begin on small business Saturday, November 27th. Chamber Executive Director Erin Donovan-Boyle, retailer Jay Laskey from the Shops at Music Box and Cynthia O’Malley from the Preservation Society of Newport County, along with local representatives and state officials will be present to speak on the importance and economic impact of shopping local.
As the Holiday Season kicks off, the Chamber and local merchants would like to remind residents that THINKing LOCAL is not just about shopping this Holiday season but rather a mindset to support and invest in all aspects of our local communities; to think, shop and BE local.
If you have any questions regarding the 2015 Holiday by the Sea Retail Initiative contact Jane Roggero, Jane@NewportChamber.com, Joanne Gorton, Joanne@NewportChamber.com or by calling the Chamber office at 401-847-1608.