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ALPENA – Get ready to kick off the holiday season in downtown on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Holiday Sneak Peek Event.

People can join the businesses of downtown for a festive day of early holiday shopping, special deals, and a sneak peek of all downtown has to offer during the most magical time of the year.

Shoppers can be the first to browse new holiday merchandise downtown at over twenty local stores, enjoy special promotions, and sip holiday- themed drinks at local taprooms.

During the event, the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will also be running a special holiday promotion on Downtown Dollars, which are gift certificates that can be used at over fifty downtown businesses. When customers purchase $75 of Downtown Dollars, they will receive $25 free until $2500 of bonus dollars are given away.

Customers are limited to $100 of bonus dollars each. This one-day special will be first-come first-served and must be purchased at Parallel 45 Books and Gifts, starting at 11 a.m.

“The holiday season can be hectic, so we are encouraging the community to get a jump start on their shopping this Saturday,” said DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry. “Shops will have holiday merchandise out and decorations will be coming out. This holiday season, it is critical to shop local to ensure our downtown continues to thrive.”

This Saturday will also be the grand opening of Briar Hill Bakehouse and Falls Creek Produce and Flowers at the Water Street Commons.They are the first of four new holiday vendors that will be opening at the commons over the next several weeks.

For more information check out the downtown Alpena website.