Sallisaw's annual Christmas lighting event will start off the holiday season on Nov. 15.
Judy Martens, chamber executive vice president, said the Sallisaw middle school and high school choirs will perform during the lighting, which will begin at 6 p.m. The chamber will serve hot chocolate and cookies for the festivities, and Santa will also be on hand for photos.
On Nov. 18, a Merchants Open House is planned to encourage shopping in Sallisaw. Because of the participation of numerous merchants, Martens said they will give away five gift baskets, worth over $200 each.
The chamber office will be open and refreshments will be available on the day of the open house. Martens also said $25 chamber checks will be given away every hour at the chamber.
For each participating merchant shoppers visit during the open house, the more chances they will have to win the baskets. The event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m.
She said the drawing for the baskets is the same process as last year. Participating merchants will have entry forms at their businesses, and shoppers will fill out the entry forms at the participating business. The merchants will provide a box where the completed entry forms will be placed, and the drawings for the gift baskets will be done at the chamber.
Martens said ladies need to stop by the chamber prior to their shopping experience and pick up a list of the merchants who are open and participating in the basket giveaway.
She noted that some merchants are sponsoring the gift baskets, but will not be open on the day of the event.
Martens said they would like to thank the following merchants for their participation in the open house: Aromas, Back to the Past, Blue Ribbon Auto, Body Works, Bonita's Bibles and Books, Brenda's Flowers, Clif's Pharmacy, Cissy's Kids, Cato Fashions, Charlie's Chicken, Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Factory Connection, Felts Shoes, Hardee's, Hilite Zone, Karen's Krafts, Lisa's Flowers, Long John Silver's, Maria's Restaurant, Ramblin Rob's Music Store, Sallisaw Ford, Sammy's Taco Ranch, Sharpe's Department Store, Simple Simon's Pizza, Sonic, Stage, Subway, The Flower Cottage, The Green House, Tractor Supply, U Design It, Western Sizzlin, and White's Jewelry.
The month of December will start with Sallisaw's annual Christmas parade on Dec. 1. The parade will start at 6 p.m., with line-up at 5:30 p.m. This year's theme is "Home for the Holidays" because Martens said they would like to have troops home for the holidays.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the best float. A $200 first-place, $125 second-place, and $100 third-place prize will be awarded in three categories, including non-profit and churches, schools, and businesses. Float entry is free, and entry forms are available at the chamber office. The last day to turn in the entry forms is Nov. 27, Martens noted.
Martens said thanks to Cherokee Casino for sponsoring the first, second and third place business category, Basin Oil and Transport for sponsoring first place for non-profits, Aviagen for sponsoring second-place non-profits, BHC Insurance for second-place in the school category, and Olen Carson Plumbing for sponsoring third-place in the school category.
She pointed out that they still need sponsorships for two categories, third-place non-profits and first-place in the school category.
SHOP SALLISAW
On Dec. 15, the Shop Sallisaw money giveaway will be held at 11 a.m. on the library lawn, with $3,000 in prize money up for grabs.
During the Shop Sallisaw campaign, which starts Nov. 20, shoppers can visit participating merchants and when they make a purchase they will receive half of a special blue ticket. That blue ticket could be the ticket for shoppers to win cash during the Dec. 15 giveaway.
Tickets will be available at participating merchants after Nov. 20.
She said this year they will give away five cash prizes - $1,000, $800, $600, $400, and $200.
Martens emphasized that customers must keep the blue tickets and be present at the giveaway to win. The promotion will end at noon Dec. 14.
Shop Sallisaw participants include ABC Cleaners, Armstrong Bank, Aromas, Arvest Bank, Blue Ribbon Auto, Brown Tire Company, Charlie's Chicken, Clif's Pharmacy, Factory Connection, Fillin Station, First National Bank, Mobile MD, National Bank of Sallisaw, Ole' South Restaurant, Sallisaw Ford, Sallisaw Lumber Company, Sammy's Taco Ranch, Sharpe's Department Store, Sonic, Wal-Mart, Western Sizzlin', Suddenlink, Maria's, Mr. Jiff, Your TIMES, Cox's Corner, Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Simple Simon's Pizza, Mazzio's, and Sallisaw True Value Hardware.
