LOCAL NEWS

Chamber and merchants launch Christmas in July


For years Chickasha has been known for it’s Festival of Light that draws thousands of visitors to Chickasha and Shannon Springs Park with a lot of anticipation and excitement.
 Through the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce, local businesses hope to recapture some of that experience fervor and drive retail sales during a slower than usual time of the year. Several activities are planned during the next thirty days to help build excitement.
 The Chamber says you can experience holiday cheer this summer during Chickasha Christmas in July events. The large lighted Christmas tree will be lit each evening during the retail promotion.
 Also, holiday-themed movies will be showing at the Chickasha Community Theatre on Thursday evenings. To compliment that experience, local boutiques and participating businesses will be open during Thursday Tidings and will offer special Christmas in July sales with extended hours.
 The attention drawing 40-foot inflatable ‘Let Lamp’ will crown the month-long festivities by appearing when weather permits.
 Leg Lamp Weekend will complete the festivities the last weekend of July and will feature a showing of “A Christmas Story” complete with Leg Lamp cookies. Visitors and snap a photo with the giant, 40-foot Leg Lamp, then head downtown to The Speak & Canadian River Brewing Company for Friday night fun.
 On Saturday, a block party with face painting, three large water inflatables, food trucks and other vendors promises a good time for the whole family.
 Live music from The Imaginaries for the Christmas Cool Down Concert on Saturday night. From spectacular lights and sales to special holiday treats and movies, Christmas has come early in Chickasha
 Participating Merchants on Thursdays from 5-7 pm each week will have a special treat for shoppers, activities for the kids, and double entries for the photo scavenger hunt. There will be a drawing every Friday for $50 and $25 gift cards to local shops and restaurants.
 The scavenger hunt is easy. Businesses will be featuring a cardboard cutout of a character from a holiday movie in their establishments. Find one of cutout characters and take a selfie with them. Post the picture on Facebook or Instagram and be entered to win. Some of the participating businesses include: Jay’s Jewelry 327 West Chickasha Avenue; Mollman Media, 627 West Chickasha Avenue; Painted Pistols, 704 West Choctaw Avenue; Perrefitte Home & Gifts, 17 South 4th Street; Quilts By Gail, 401 W Chickasha Ave; Steelman’s Framing, Gifts & Sew Much More, 410 West Chickasha Avenue; Tammie’s Bling Boutique, 123 West Chickasha Avenue. More merchants may join the promotion.
 Every Thursday night in July, beginning July 1st, CCT and the EDC will show Christmas movies inside the Washita Theater, 509 Chickasha Ave, starting at 7 P.M. There is no admission charge. CCT will sell concessions as a fundraiser. Local restaurants are also helping to sponsor the concession fundraising.
 The Grinch will be shown on Thursday, July 1st, The Polar Express July 8th, Elf July 15th and A Christmas Story July 22nd.
 Get bingo card at http://www.chickashachamber.com/christmas-in-july/movie-emoji-bingo and bring it to the Chamber of Commerce for a chance to win a $25 gift card.
 A Block Party and Cooldown Concert is planned on Chickasha Avenue July 24th. The giant block party starts at 5 pm and music happens from 7:30-10:00 pm. Check http://www.chickashachamber.com/christmas-in-july/christmas-cool-down-concert for the line up of musical events.
 Plan to come out and celebrate small town America in July and support Chickasha and their many retail businesses!