Alger County's Shop Local Campaign Continues This Week

The Alger County Chamber of Commerce is once again running its Rekindle Grand Giveaway promotion, an initiative that was started with the hope of inspiring people to shop locally during the holiday season, until Thursday, Dec. 15.

Over $6,000 worth of prizes and gift certificates, which were generously donated by local businesses, will be awarded to people for shopping in Alger County. This year, an Ariens snowblower, Amazon fire tablet, an air fryer, wireless earbuds, a drone, gym memberships, gift certificates, smart TVs and much more will be given away.

How it works: people can bring their receipts for purchases made between Nov. 24 - Dec. 15 at any Alger County business to the chamber office - also called the Fuzzy Boyak Welcome Center - located at 129 E Munising Ave. in Munising. For every $50 in receipts, they will receive one entry for the prize drawings. Any combination of $50 worth of receipts earns one entry form.

People can also bring in five full-sized toiletry items, which will be donated to the Alger Community Food Pantry, for one entry form. Receipts and donations must be entered by 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Please note, the chamber does not keep any of your receipts.

The office is also drawing daily prizes of gift certificates this year. However, even if someone wins a daily prize, they still qualify for the grand giveaway, which is done after Dec. 15.

Since the campaign began in 2011, people have brought in receipts totaling more than $2 million. Though, this is the first time the promotion has taken place in person since 2019. For the last two years, shoppers were awarded spontaneously after purchasing items from local businesses.

Munising’s annual holiday event Rekindle the Spirit was also in person this year, taking place on Dec. 1. The event consisted of a parade along Superior Street, old-fashioned wagon rides, photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the grinch and other characters, live music and more. Many businesses in the downtown district participated by offering sales, hot chocolate, snacks and entertainment.

That night, the Munising Downtown Development Authority’s business decorating contest took place. While many businesses were adorned with festive decorations and lights, South Bay Outfitters won first place, Pictured Rocks Real Estate received second and Alger General Agency came in third. If you’re driving through Munising at night, be sure to check them out.

For any questions about the Rekindle Grand Giveaway, call 906-387-2138.