OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

Of the year nominations have been emailed out to the Board Members.  Nominations are due back in the office on or by December 2, 2019

 

Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce
211 N. Main St. Benton, IL 62812
P.O. Box 574 Benton, IL 62812
618-438-2121     info@bentonwestcitychamber.com
www.BentonWestCityChamber.com

Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 5 PM – 8 PM

The 2019 Festival of Lights will be our traditional Christmas on the Square, but it will also serve as a commemorative farewell to the Franklin County Courthouse. We hope to make the 2019 Festival of Lights a memorable event, and one for the whole family will enjoy and hold close for a lifetime!

The special evening will include the dazzling lighting of the Square, Santa's arrival and a chance to tell him what you want for Christmas, professional pictures with Santa - taken by Jonathon Walters, horse drawn carriage rides, free hot chocolate and goodies, photo booths/props and more!

The entire event kicks off at 5 p.m. around the Capitol Park area. This year, Santa will join Mayor Fred Kondritz at 5:30 p.m., for the formal welcoming on the stage of Capitol Park, then start the countdown for the lighting of the Square. We will have more lights than ever this year, and special guests will join us with their beautiful decorations on the inside of the Square.

After the lighting of the Square, a brass quartet will join us to share beloved Christmas classics in Capitol Park, while radio station, WISH 98.9, will be on the Square with a live remote and playing Christmas music.

Please join us, as a community, as we celebrate this precious holiday.

*The Square will NOT be closed for this event, and many of our businesses plan to be open during the event.*

The Festival of Lights wouldn't be possible without our sponsors! We're incredibly thankful for our community partners, local businesses, churches and organizations for making this a truly memorable event for all.

Small Business Saturday 

Shop Small Business Saturday is November 30, 2019.  This holiday season please try to shop local whenever possible.  Remember that it is important for the community to support the businesses that support the community.  Spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong— in your community!  For every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a national chain? Only $43 stays in the community.  If you can not find something in the store and you have to order online, please check and see if you can ship the item to a store in your community.  If the item is shipped to store instead of to your home then the local community gets a portion of the tax revenue.  Local business owners know you, and you know them. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.  Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify your community.  Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. The more interesting and unique our community, the more we will attract new neighbors, visitors and guests. This benefits everyone!  If you are going to be open and running specials for Shop Small Saturday please email me the information so that I can share it on Social Media.