Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau: Holiday Shopping Campaign

Merry Marion

November 17-19, 2012 Friday (11/17): At Matter Park in the lawn outside the Garden there will be a screen showing of the Charlie Brown Christmas movie at 7 p.m. The Walkway of Lights and the Made in Marion art exhibit will be opening at 9 p.m. Saturday (11/18): At Matter Park starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Santa and his reindeer will make an entrance and will be available to take pictures with, business stands will be set up along the walkway to distribute information and stamp your Christmas passports. The ice skating rink will be set up for everyone to skate in and the Made in Marion art exhibits will be set up. Sleigh rides will be available along the walkway in the park from 9 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Choir caroling from all the different schools in Grant County will take place at 3 p.m. as well as from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Christmas carols will be played all throughout the park to spread the Christmas spirit. Sunday (11/19): Matter park will begin the closing day at 9 a.m. by opening the ice rink, Made in Marion art exhibit, and pictures with Santa and his reindeer until 5 p.m. The sleigh rides will still be available from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. A Kris Kringle brunch will take place inside and outside of the Garden house at noon, where there will be elementary Christmas performances and raffles from the winners of the Christmas passports as a way to close out the Merry Marion weekend event.

News Release
Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau Holiday Shopping Campaign P.O. Box 132, Marion, IN 46952 Contact: Karen Niverson 765.618.2747 kn@showmegrantcounty.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Merry Marion weekend event is an event to raise awareness of local shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions that will ultimately increase ticket sales for the Walkway of Lights the first weekend it opens Marion, IN (October, 26 2012)- Santa Clause is surely coming to town this Christmas season here in Grant County as we soon prepare to deck the halls! The Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau is getting in the holiday spirit by planning a weekend full of Christmas events for families and visitors. November 17th-18th, Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting its first holiday campaign called Merry Marion weekend event. Throughout the weekend there will be activities that help bring in the Christmas spirit in Grant County, while at the same time promoting local businesses. Friday is the grand opening of the Walkway of Lights where there will be a showing of a Charlie Brown Christmas on a big screen in the lawn outside the Garden House and the Citys annual Christmas parade will follow. There will be a Christmas passport that you can complete as you visit local business booths to receive discounts and other fun surprises starting on Saturday morning. Closing day will end with a Kris Kringle breakfast, along with many other fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. So dont miss this enchanting opportunity. Come join the

Merry Marion holiday weekend event and bring your friends and family!

For more information regarding this event, please contact Karen Niverson at the Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau office or email the Visitors Bureau at info@showmegrantcounty.com.

###

About Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureaus mission statement reads: To promote the Grant County Tourism Industry and to enhance visitors experiences in order to maximize visitor time & money spent in our community. One way that the tourism industry and visitor experiences can be enhanced is through a holiday campaign. This is a way that the bureau can promote Grant County as a place to enjoy a hassle-free Holiday shopping get-away where shoppers can find one-of-a kind gifts, and enjoy a little old-fashioned Christmas spirit. Grant County is thriving in many different aspects and continues to grow each year. Some specific key tactics that the bureau highlights are: the local artists, unique shops, restaurants and holiday activities. These tactics can be told and spread over 100 miles beyond Grant County through the use of social media. The Community School of the Arts, located in the downtown square, has an art gallery that features some of Grant Countys local artists and sells many different prints. There are many antique and unique shops all across Grant County such as: Converse Antiques, Recycled Fun 4 U, Prayers and Squares, Brandts Harley Davidson, Cahoots Soap Company, Comforts of Home, Kitchen Necessities and the Potters House; where shoppers are guaranteed to walk out with a new treasure. Some new and some old favorite dining features include: K Bistro, Paynes Restaurant and the Hostess House.

Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau Fact Sheet What is this organization?

Marion-Grant County Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization thats core mission is to promote the Grant County Tourism Industry and to enhance visitors experiences so that they spend time and money in the community. Their vision is to see economic development in the Grant County area by attracting visitors that will stay and spend their money in the local area. When did this originate? The Visitors Bureau was founded in 1981 after the Marion Rotary Club hosted a regional meeting conference. During this time there was a gap in services and the club needed help raising funds and providing places to stay, making itineraries, welcoming out of town guests, and sending registration information. None of those services were provided during that time and now they are available through the bureaus funding that comes from the innkeepers logging tax. These logging taxes are collected by the state legislators with the help of Rotary Club that works with the chamber of commerce and elected officials. Who is this available to? The Marion-Grant County Visitors Bureau is available to anyone who is seeking direction or advice to any commonalties that Grant County has to offer. Where is this organization? There are two offices that represent the Marion-Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau. One is located in the basement of The Community Foundation of Grant County at 505 West Third Street Marion, IN 46953. The second location is right off of Main Street in Gas City at 210 W North A Street Gas City, IN 46933. Why should you be aware? The Grant County area has such a rich background in history, and many events and displays are presented around the area for the purpose of informing people and entertaining them. The Visitors Bureau can help you find what you are looking for and direct you to places around the community that could help meet your very need in discovering Grant County. Info@showmegrantcounty.com Phone: (765) 668-5435 Fax: (765) 668-5424

Contact Information

Rachel Conrad PR Director Phone: 765.618.0753 rachel.conrad@myemail.indwes.edu

Mrs. Karen Niverson Executive Director of Marion-Grant County & Visitors Bureau kn@showmegrantcounty.com