111523 - Bridget Neigum, owner of River Bee Books, poses for a photo. NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Midnight Madness returns this Friday, bringing the joy of local shopping into full focus in downtown Medicine Hat.
Now something of a tradition for the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Collective, the yearly event is slated to be as big and bright as ever, says Brad Tajiri, events manager for the Chamber.
“It basically runs all day, but the official Midnight Madness kicks off at 6 p.m,” said Tajiri. “We start with a tree lighting at BATUS Park, and then we have all sorts of things happening throughout the evening.”
More than 7 businesses and organizations are participating this year, speaking to the high level of excitement from the different groups which call downtown their home. Tajiri added that this year may be especially important for the businesses, after Third Street was blocked off through the summer.
“And now they’re all reopening this year to really have people come downtown, support local business and enjoy the stores and the restaurants that we have here. There’s so many restaurants and retail stores and businesses that are open late throughout the evening, which is pretty phenomenal,” said Tajiri, who added he believes there is “a lot more to do here than I think most people believe is downtown.”
The goal, like previous years, is to promote local businesses, which factors into the choice to have it on the Friday before Black Friday. Even with some of the deals possibly being similar, Tajiri said the energy that comes from getting to participate in a community event adds to the experience significantly.
Live music, food trucks, hay rides, hot chocolate stations and a $5 showing of the movie Elf at the Monarch Theatre will compliment later hours on stores and restaurants, pop-up markets and much, much more.
A full map of all of the available activities is available at downtownmedicinehat.ca.
