Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce officials are urging shoppers to stay and home and “Shop Sallisaw” for the holidays.

Judy Martens, the chamber’s executive director, said shoppers should consider the growth through sales taxes collected during past holiday seasons. She pointed out that sales tax receipts traditionally increase from November through the new year, and even into February. Most noticeable is the increased amount of sales taxes collected through food stores and general merchandise stores. Those sales taxes, Martens pointed out, are used by local governments to improve public services.

Martens said area residents have other reasons to Shop Sallisaw. This year $5,500 will be given away to nine lucky shoppers.

As shoppers buy at local stores they should be offered, and if not offered then they should ask for, a Shop Sallisaw ticket for each visit when a purchase is made. The shopper keeps half the ticket and the other half goes back to the chamber. The promotion runs through noon on Dec. 11, and the tickets will be delivered to the chamber by 5 p.m. Dec. 11.

On Dec. 12 the cash prizes will be given away. The event will be held at noon on the lawn at Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in Sallisaw.

Martens said the prizes are $1,500 for first; $1,000 for second; $800 for third; $700 for fourth; $550 for fifth; $400 for sixth; $250 for seventh; $200 for eighth; and $100 for ninth.

The winners must be present and have their corresponding ticket half. This year the prizes are limited to one per person.

Participating merchants are Aaron’s/Bargain Center, ABC Cleaners, Anchor Finance, A-OK Printing, Armstrong Bank, Aroma’s Coffee Shop, Arvest Bank, Blue Ribbon Auto Group, Bob Hammons Accounting, Brown’s Tire Center, Calming Connections LLC, Cazadore’s Mexican Restaurant, Charlie’s Chicken, City of Sallisaw, Clif’s Pharmacy, Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Cox’s Corner Store, D&R Dozer Service, DiamondNet, Factory Connection, Felt’s Shoes, Fillin’ Station Restaurant, First National Bank, Journey Church, Long John Silver’s/A&W, Marvin’s Food Warehouse, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, Mazzio’s Italian Restaurant, Mobile MD, Mr. Jiff, Napa Auto Parts, National Bank of Sallisaw, Ole’ South Restaurant, Olive Tree Antiques & Gifts, Perry’s Office Supply, Peters Agency Care Management LLC, Pit Stop Convenience Store, Professional Home Hospice, Sallisaw Ford, Sallisaw Lumber Company, Sallisaw True Value Hardware, Sequoyah County Times, Sharpe’s Department Store, Simple Simon’s Pizza, Sonic Drive-In, State Farm Insurance, Taco Pronto, Taylor Rental, The Green House, Tractor Supply, Tré Chic Flowers, Décor & More, Walmart SuperCenter and Western Sizzlin.

Martens also reminded those wishing to participate in the Sallisaw Christmas Parade that entry forms are available at the chamber office at the corner of Wheeler and Cherokee.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Christmas at the Movies,” and all floats and entries should have this theme. Only those displaying the theme will be judged. Martens encouraged all entries to have the name of the chosen movie on the float.

For more information about Shop Sallisaw or the Christmas parade contact the chamber at (918) 775-2558.