It is never too late to think about holidays in Grinnell! With summer about to end, our (creative) Chamber Ambassadors met this morning to discuss the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Jingle Bell Holiday and general “holidays in Grinnell” festivities!
Jingle Bell Holiday is a grand Grinnell event, with hundreds of people packed in a chilly downtown with hot chocolate and treats in hand. Though the event is always a major hit, our Ambassadors pitched ideas to take the event to the next level, including creating more holiday photo opportunities throughout town and developing a mini holiday scavenger hunt.
In the weeks leading up to the holiday season, the Chamber Ambassadors brainstormed ways to keep the holiday feel into town after Jingle Bell Holiday, starting with the local businesses' annual extended hours. One key takeaway? Incorporating different aspects that fit multiple demographics: one for kids, one for adults, and a general free event for all to enjoy — whether a pub or food crawl, or a retail business scavenger hunt with an “Amazing Chase” theme.
Plus, the Ambassadors considered ways that businesses and organizations could collaborate and benefit through potential fundraising opportunities. For example, the Ambassadors pitched joint activities to complement the free sponsored holiday merchant movies at the Strand, or the festival of trees held at the Drake Community Library. Whether that means creating a gigantic winterland with a local open space or having little igloos scattered around Central Park, we are trying to gauge community interest and ideas!
What would you like to see? Roping in carolers from the Grinnell School of Music or Grinnell College? Or perhaps you would want to be involved with a downtown activity, such as a holiday decoration contest to help adorn local retail shops and businesses?
Or would you like to see us extend some Jingle Bell Holiday activities into our extended hours days, like additional activities at some of our retail establishments?
Finally, the Chamber is preparing for a grand hand off of the beloved Central Park holiday decorations [tradition]. For eight years, the beautiful display has been led and organized by Jennifer and Kevin McAlexander and put into place by a team of volunteers, but now we are looking for their successors. If you are interested in the passing of the torch, or wish to contribute with a small role, email communications@getintogrinnell.com or message our social media platforms.
If you have more ideas about the holidays in Grinnell and potential activities, drop them in the comments below — we would love to read them and share with our business community!
Chamber Ambassador (Brainstormers), from left to right: