MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMBER
CARGO SHIPS AND CHRISTMAS I couldn’t believe my eyes. As I returned home from trick or treating with my kids, we walked in the house where my husband had the Monday Night Football game on the TV. And there it was — a Christmas commercial for a big box retailer! The Halloween candy buckets hadn’t even been dumped out yet, and there was Santa on the screen. Over the past few years, it seems like the push for Christmas shopping keeps getting moved up earlier and earlier. But this year, perhaps that’s warranted. There have been stories in the news regularly about the backlog in the supply chain, cargo ships stuck off the ports waiting to unload, and a shortage of everything you can imagine (and even things you can’t) since Covid upended our lives. It’s enough to make even the biggest procrastinator take notice. As I thought about this “urgent” need to start shopping, though, I started to wonder if maybe this was the year (or the excuse) I needed to reset Christmas expectations. What if—instead of being a huge inconvenience or stressor in my life—this unavailability of goods could actually help me and my family focus on what’s important? (Hint: it’s not the stuff under the tree.) I’m a pretty driven person who likes a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, so it’s hard for me to set time aside for relaxation. There’s always work to be done or projects around the house. What if this Christmas I give my loved ones the gift of time together and treat them to experiences right here in Harrisburg? We at the Chamber of Commerce happen to have a few coming up for you to consider!
And even though the idea of moving the focus off of presents sounds nice, there will still likely be gifts under the tree this year. However, I encourage you to think creatively and shop local. Instead of relying Adrienne McKeown on big box stores or websites, support your local businesses who support the community. Gift cards are available for our local restaurants, gas stations, car washes, personal services like manicures and massages, and more. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about them being sold out or stuck on a cargo ship somewhere! Happy Holidays, Harrisburg! I look forward to another great year in 2022!
Chair of the Board, Harrisburg Economic Development Corp. & Chamber of Commerce
Join us on Friday, Dec. 3, for Santa’s arrival in Harrisburg! The “Harrisburg Hometown Holiday” event has become an annual tradition, featuring Santa riding into town in style, the lighting of the town Christmas tree, and other festive and fun activities. This year, we’ll be moving the festivities to the picnic shelter at Lake Ole, so join us at 5:45 p.m. and start the holidays off in the heart of Harrisburg. The following Tuesday, Dec. 7, we invite you to grab your friends and neighbors and join us for an evening of entertainment and good food at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet. The title may sound a little stuffy, but this promises to be anything but boring. We’ll enjoy a prime rib dinner, celebrate some community accomplishments from the past year, and then cut loose for the Dueling Duo piano spectacular. This fun night out on the town—hosted at The Meadow Barn—is an unbelievably good deal at just $25 per ticket. Contact Brandon at the Chamber office (brandon@harrisburgsdchamber.com) to get your ticket before they are sold out. All adults are welcome!
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HARRISBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Brandon Lane, President/CEO 605-777-9120 www.harrisburgsdchamber.com brandon@harrisburgsdchamber.com 220 S. Cliff Avenue | Harrisburg SD 57032
CONNECTING THE HARRISBURG COMMUNITY
