Powder River Examiner -

The Powder River Chamber of Commerce and Ag's Annual Christmas Stroll will take place this Friday, with the theme this year of "A Very Merry COVID Christmas."

For those looking to purchase Christmas gifts and support local businesses, the stroll is a great time to do so, as many businesses are running specials during the stroll. The decision to shop locally instead of going out of town to shop at big box stores or online at large retailers is a huge help to the local community. When shopping at a local business, $68 of every $100 stays in the community, according to a 2008 study conducted in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When spending the same at a non-local business like a national chain, essentially zero dollars stay in our local community. Local businesses reinvest those dollars back into the community through local taxes, direct spending on goods and services, and supporting community organizations like the Broadus Sports Boosters or sponsoring and donating to worthy causes like the Scramble 4 A Cure Golf Tournament. By spending money locally, you're investing in your community.

The Chamber is once again sponsoring a local shopping incentive, so as you're making qualified purchases at participating retailers up until December 4th, get your "Ticket to a Cozy COVID Christmas" punched for a chance to win the grand prize drawing. Pick up your ticket at Alderman Oil, Broadus Boot & Tack, Jane's Weathered Antiques, Powder River Petals, Silver Sage, Western Chick or The Daisy Patch. Get your ticket punched at each business, write your name and contact info on the back and drop it in the Christmas mailbox at Gardner & Billing CPAs by the end of the stroll to be entered into the drawing.

Here is a list of stroll activities at local businesses which we've heard about as of Tuesday:

Senior Citizen Center will hold a bake sale and 50/50 ticket sales from 4 pm-7 pm, an opportunity for kids to write letters to Santa and a drawing for a goodie bag. The center will be helping with the Chamber's Christmas tree lighting by encouraging folks to memorialize their loved ones with an ornament on the Chamber tree.

Broadus Insurance will be serving roasted chestnuts, hot dogs and hot chocolate from 4-7 pm.

Fleming & Long Insurance will hold door prize drawings for all ages at 6 pm, as well as serving drinks, s'mores, Powder River Premium tri-tip sliders & homemade cowboy beans and hosting special guest, Jess Lockwood. These activities will take place from 4-6 pm. Kids can put their letters to Santa in their Christmas mailbox all month long, too!

Alderman Oil - Stroll at Alderman Oil and enjoy complimentary coffee and cookies. Sign up for the Kids Giant Christmas Stocking and an Alderman Oil gift certificate for adults during the month of December. The winners will be drawn on Dec. 23rd. The company's popular extra-large 2021 Calendars, "Earl" Calendars, and Press On vehicle calendars are also available.

Patten Bookkeeping & Consulting will be hosting a hot chocolate bar and serving coffee at the new location - 117 E Wilson St, Suite B. They will also be giving away a gift basket to celebrate 5 years in business. Come by their office to enter to win!

The Editor of the Powder River Examiner will be out snapping photos. Gift subscriptions to the paper are available, and make excellent holiday gifts!

Broadus Boot & Tack will be running sales on men's shirts/sweaters and all coats/jackets from Nov. 20 - Stroll day. They also have great stocking stuffers and it's not too late to custom order some presents! Any purchase will qualify for a ticket punch. The store plans to close at our regular time (5 pm) on the day of stroll, no extended hours.

Silver Sage Clothing is offering 30% off storewide, and will also have a drawing for a $50 gift certificate. Hours on stroll day are 9:30 am-8 pm.

Gardner & Billing CPAs wants to help you have a Very Merry COVID Christmas this year with their special prize raffle. Celebrate 12 nights of family Christmas fun, at GNOME, with the "Just Stay Gnome Christmas Crate of Family Fun!" The crate includes everything you need for 12 evenings of family-fun activities; plus, they'll be posting ideas for "Christmas at Gnome" activities on their Facebook page. Share pictures of your family enjoying our contest challenges and get in on a chance to win a cash prize! Get creative while sharing time with those you love! Stop by the office between 4-6 pm on Stroll day for treats and enter the crate raffle in person anytime on December 4th, then follow the Gardner & Billings CPAs Facebook page for their "Christmas at Gnome" Contest throughout the month of December!

The Daisy Patch bus will be parked across from Gardner & Billing CPAs with specials starting at 2 pm.

Sagebrush Inn & Suites will be hosting the Broadus Jr. High and High School Music Students to perform from the 2nd floor of the "Brewer Building" (formerly KMJ's) on Wilson Avenue from 5 pm till 5:45. In addition, "The Body Shop Physical Therapy" and "Patten Bookkeeping & Consulting", two new storefronts in downtown Broadus starting in 2020, will be available for tours during the stroll.

Powder River Lanes will be open extended hours, and will have treats available!

Big Sky Bar says to stop by on Friday for fun, food and special Christmas drinks, including their famous hot buttered rum and Tom & Jerry's!

Folks may drop on by the Montana Bar for some Christmas cheer and get a free Tom & Jerry's (21 and over), little smokies and other delicious treats!

Jane's Weathered Antiques will have shopping specials and extended hours on the Stroll night. Don't forget to make your qualifying purchase before close on Friday to get your "Ticket to a Cozy COVID Christmas" punched!

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Western Chick Boutique will be having 10 special discounts and/or gifts hidden around the shop in honor of our 10th Christmas stroll in Broadus. Spend $50 and get your name in the drawing for their special gift basket. More great deals to be shared on the day of the stroll.

In a change from previous years, First Bank will not be holding their food spread.

A few non-Chamber related events are also occurring during the stroll, including a Christmas Bazaar at the Broadus Community Center on December 4th and 5th, and a Free Throw Tournament hosted by Broadus Sports Boosters at Seabeck Pizza beginning at 4 pm on December 4th, with the last entry at 5:45 pm. Entry fees are $5 per person.

New to the Stroll in 2020, the Chamber is hosting a COVID Christmas Mask Pageant at 7pm outside Powder River Petals. Get creative and strut your safe self in your fabulous Christmas mask. Pre-register by contacting Melissa Billing or sign up for free on Stroll night. Join us for music, entertainment and some light-hearted fun, followed by the unveiling of the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Powder River Petals courtyard.

A Christmas lighting contest will also be held this year. Businesses will be judged on December 4th on the night of the stroll and residential judging will take place on December 13th.

This year is unlike any other, so please check with individual business owners for any restrictions or details on what they have planned on their premises.