GALION — The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce will host a “Back to School” themed Second Saturday Shop Hop in Galion on Saturday, Aug. 8.
The chamber initiated the Shop Hop events to support local area merchants gain visibility during the pandemic. The Second Saturday Shop Hop is sponsored by Donley Ford of Galion, Firelands Federal
Credit Union, First Federal Bank of Ohio, and Park National Bank.
“We were saddened with not being able to hold our Third Friday events this summer and knew we needed to create an event that helped our local small businesses,” said Executive Director, Miranda Jones. “The shop hop allows for social distancing, while still promoting our area merchants.”
The event will be this Saturday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging people to walk around the Uptowne Galion area and complete the “Back to School Scavenger Hunt.”
Local businesses will be asked to “hide” a picture of a back to school supply item in their business. Shoppers can pick up their card at the chamber’s tent on the square in Uptowne Galion. Once they have found all of their supplies, they can return their completed card to the chamber’s tent to claim their prize.
“Our previous Shop Hops have had a great response and we wanted to make sure that we finished the summer off with another fun activity,” explained Jones. “The additional engagement activities we have added have really drawn in people and businesses are delighted with the exposure they have had for the Shop Hops.”
Saturday’s event will also have another “Shop Hop Rocks” sponsored by Cleaning By Carrie. Randomly painted rocks will be hidden along Harding Way between Union Street and Liberty Street. Find a painted rock and follow the instructions on the back to earn a prize.
The chamber will continue to hand out Shop Hop canvas bags and giveaway items from the sponsors of the event, as well as continue the Food & Beverage “Blitz Card” promotional incentive to shop at participating chamber members that serve food and beverages. The final date for the “Blitz Card” to be turned in is Tuesday, August 11.
If anyone is interested in more information or wish to become a Shop Hop sponsor, they can contact Miranda Jones at the Chamber office, 419-468-7737 or via email mjones@galion-crestlinechamber.org.
