Mark your calendar now for Saturday, Nov. 13 for the 12th annual Holiday Poker Run sponsored by 12 Merrill businesses. The annual event helps to kick-off the holiday season by bringing unique and fresh Christmas ideas to area shoppers. The concept of the Holiday Poker Run was brought to the retail community by Laura Schwartzman and developed by Trina Johnson and has become a huge success with area shoppers.
This year’s sponsoring businesses are: Ace Hardware, Ballyhoo’s, Brose’s Flower Center, Central Carpet & Flooring, Champ’s Restaurant, Courtside Furniture, The Front Porch, The Guy’s Shop, Miller Home Furnishings, Radio Shack, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, and Thelma’s. Poker Run participants will have the opportunity to win prizes that include the grand prize of $420. Other prizes include gift certificates for: 1st prize, $150; 2nd prize, $120; and 3rd prize, $90. Additional prizes will also be awarded by the retail locations.
In addition to the prize packages sponsoring business will also be offering Poker Run specials. The specials are an added perk to make the poker run even more inviting for holiday shoppers and will include: Ace Hardware – Mystery Christmas Specials; Ballyhoo’s – breakfast, lunch and dinner specials; Brose’s Flower Center is celebrating 34 years of holiday memories by offering Christmas specials, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments; Central Carpet & Flooring – an additional 10% off all new carpet and flooring purchases; Champ’s will have breakfast and lunch specials; Courtside Furniture – an in-store drawing and Christmas savings throughout the holiday season; The Front Porch – offering a chance to win a free Christmas decorating package; The Guy’s Shop – specializes in all sizes from a 36 short to a 68 large reminds shoppers to make their purchases early for that special guy; Miller’s Home Furnishings – cheerfully offers an in-store raffle and a chance to register for prizes; Thelma’s is excited to show their new Fall and Winter clothing and will offer free gift wrapping; and stop into Radio Shack with Sprint for your hometown technology specials. As a special treat St. Francis Xavier School is having their first Christmas bazaar with craft vendors, baked goods and for those with a sweet tooth – candy by the pound.
While on the poker run be sure to check out the other annual Holiday shopping activities taking place for even more Christmas fun: 32nd Annual Holly Time Bazaar sponsored by Good Samaritan volunteers will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 15th Annual Church Mutual Craft Fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 8th Annual Riverside Athletic Club’s Arts & Craft Fair will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and the 20th Annual Bell Tower Residence Craft Fair featuring 25 crafters will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Let us “deal” you the best “hand” of the season at the 12th Merrill Holiday Poker Run on Nov. 13. Start your holiday season on a high note, “deck” the halls with us and shop till you drop all day long in right here in Merrill.
For more information on the Poker Run contact any of the 12 participating businesses. And for information on the other Holiday Craft Fairs contact the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-536-9474.