Downtown Rockford ‘Holiday Stamp-ede’ shopping game kicks off Nov. 17 with event at Stewart Square

Online Staff Report

A group of 14 downtown Rockford retailers and art galleries are partnering to offer a “Holiday Stamp-ede” shopping game that will reward one winner with $350 in “downtown cash.”

Contest participants will need to collect stamps from all 14 participating retailers and turn the cards in by 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 24.

Game cards are available beginning Nov. 17 at any of the following participating retailers: Artificium; CD Source; Hear.more.music; Isa’s Boutique; JustGoods; J.R. Kortman’s; Minglewood; Pasta Cucina; Phoenix Traders; Plush; Rockford Art Deli; Salvaged by Sonya; Tom Littrell Design; and Treazured Memories. Maps will also be available.

Shop Downtown, the organization behind the event, will kick off the Holiday Stamp-ede Saturday, Nov. 17, at Stewart Square, 115 S. Main St., during a B-103 live remote from 10 a.m. to noon. Prizes from several of the participating downtown retailers will be given away, including the following: a $50 gift basket from Pasta Cucina; a $50 gift certificate from Salvaged by Sonya; a $50 gift basket from Treazured Memories; a $50 gift basket from Artificium; two fair-trade wool scarves from Phoenix Traders; a $25 gift certificate from Kate’s Pie Shop; T-shirts and inedible treats from Rockford Art Deli; a $50 gift certificate from Thomas Littrell Design; a boutique handbag (value $45) from Isa’s Boutique; a pair of Paradigm stereo earbuds (for IPods, Iphones) from hear.more.music; a musical jack-in-the-box, “Marco the Magnificent,” designed by Jon Kessler or a hand-painted ornament from the Rockford Landmark Collection, both from J.R. Kortman Center for Design.

Shop Downtown is a group of retailers and art galleries that have partnered to offer a unique shopping experience in downtown Rockford. More than 20 shops and galleries have committed to being open every Saturday from at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the holiday season and beyond.

Shop Downtown maps/brochures are available at downtown shops and restaurants, as well as on the following websites: www.facebook.com/ShopDowntownRockford; www.gorockford.com; and www.riverdistrict.com.

Questions or comments regarding Shop Downtown can be directed to Pam Schallhorn, project manager, at pschallhorn@gmail.com or (815) 980-9515.

Posted Nov. 16, 2012