By Dana Kroll, Uptown Marketing and Communications Specialist
Grand Rapids, Friday, November 24, 2023: Uptown Grand Rapids Inc. invites the public to a festive new way to support its local businesses this holiday season. Announcing the first annual Uptown Holiday Elf Scavenger Hunt.
Both the hunt’s objective and premise are straightforward: To utilize the holiday spirit and a little bit of healthy competition as a fun vehicle with which to encourage the public to explore and physically engage with the vibrant Uptown district, and its many unique, small and independently owned shops, restaurants, studios, spas, and more.
The interactive contest officially kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, November 26, and runs through Thursday December 7. Both start and end dates for the contest were chosen intentionally, to support its objective to bolster local business; November 26th is also Small Business Saturday, and December 7th is also the date of the annual Uptown Shop Hop.
Participants of all ages are given the task of finding the “mugshots” of at least twenty mischievous elves – one of which is hidden in each of the ninety businesses that are participating in this year’s hunt. Once found, participants will record the name of each elf on their player’s card. Once completed, the cards may be turned in for a chance to win one of three gift baskets. The catch? Cards may only be returned for entry to win in person, on the days leading up to and during the Shop Hop event.
Players may pick up their player’s card at any of the participating businesses, beginning today, or have the option to download and print their own. They may return completed cards to Basic Bee Boutique or Rebel. There will be two additional drop-off spots added during the Shop Hop – the Five Star Real Estate Wealthy Office, and Hermitage At Diamond (each of these locations will be serving as Shop Hop warming station “hubs,” for the event).
All prizes will consist of goods and wares sourced exclusively from the local businesses themselves.
Uptown hopes that, like its regionally renowned Shop Hop event (which currently celebrates its 26th consecutive year), the introduction of this light-hearted scavenger hunt will become another beloved holiday tradition with which to offer an invitation to, year after year.
Per Ingrid Miller, Executive Director, UGRI: “The preeminent objective of our organization is to support our local businesses in order to foster a diverse, welcoming, and thriving city district. We strive to achieve that objective through countless programs, grants, and initiatives, all year long. But it is safe to say that the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to inject a bit of charm, whimsy, and good old-fashioned competitive fun, into the mission!”
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Uptown consists of four business districts: Eastown, East Fulton, Wealthy Street, and East Hills. The district is also home to five residential neighborhoods: Baxter, East Hills, Eastown, Fulton Heights, and Midtown. In all climates, UGRI celebrates its mission: to bring together people, partnerships, and possibilities to sustain a strong and vibrant urban district through planning, coordinating, and communicating with and between all sectors of the Uptown community and beyond.
For more information on the Uptown Holiday Elf Scavenger Hunt, and for all things Uptown, contact Ingrid Miller.