Holiday Events Listings...
Holiday in Freeport is a cooperative effort. The L.L.Bean Northern Lights Celebration really kicks off the holiday season in Freeport with an amazing schedule of events that lasts all season long. This year Northern Lights begins on November 17th.
Sparkle Weekend, with all of it's usual events, is a famed part of the Holiday Season in Freeport. This year Sparkle is November 30th (Parade at 6:00pm) and December 1st and 2nd.
The Royal River Chorus Holiday Concert at FPAC is on December 4th.
A full listing of all Holiday events can be found at FreeportUSA.com/holiday07.html and all schedules are downloadable. Printed Sparkle and Northern Lights brochures are ready. You can pick some up at the FMA office on Depot street if you don't yet have them.
FEDC Business Survey... FMA and FEDC alike are always anxious to hear from our respective constituents. FEDC (Freeport Economic Development Corporation) has created a dynamic and thoughtful survey to gather the opinions of the Freeport business community.
There is still an opportunity to take the survey online. This is your opportunity to be heard. The survey will remain available for about another week, so please take a few minutes to fill it out if you have not already done so. Take the FEDC Business Survey
Holiday Hours? This is the time of year when we get tons of calls and emails about store hours for the holidays. Since we've put the Top Picks After 6 page on the website, it's gotten thousands of hits. Obviously customers really want to know who's open. PLEASE let us know your holiday shopping hours. You can use the for on the Members page at FreeportUSA.com or email your hours to info@freeportusa.com.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday? Along the same line as store hours, folks want to know who's open on Thanksgiving, what time, and any "crazy" early sales hours, late night shopping, especially for Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
Let us know your plans - customers look to us for the answers! Email your special Thanksgiving/Black Friday info to info@freeportusa.com
Winter Sports Expo this weekend... With all the focus this issue on holiday happenings, we don't want to forget that lots of folks will be in town this weekend for the L.L.Bean Winter Sports Expo Saturday and Sunday. With the new L.L.Bean Hunting and Fishing Store now open there's double the incentive to come to Freeport for this Expo! Everybody look lively - it's a great chance to polish up those customer service skills and that holiday smile!
Freeport Village Station signs first tenants... If you've been in the village lately you've seen the signs that something big is about to happen, and so it is. Freeport Village Station, the multi-million dollar development by Berenson Associates featuring 118,000 square feet of quality retail space and a 500+ space parking facility, is moving forward. The first announcement of new tenants has been made.
Freeport will be welcoming Calvin Klein, IZOD, Van Huesen, and Geoffrey Beene as part of the Freeport experience. These are all great brands that will add to Freeport's strength as a desination. We congratulate Freeport Village Station on it's first signings and look forward to more news!
Gift Certificate Note... 'Tis the season for FMA Gift Certificates. Everybody who's an FMA member can accept FMA Gift certificates. Just process them as you would a check.
If you are ordering FMA Gift Certificates for promotions or packages, please allow some lead time. The office is VERY busy this time of year and processing GC's takes a bit of time. If you have any questions please contactKim at the office 865-1212 or info@freeportusa.com |
Executive Directors Message...
Happy Holidays! Well here it is - the Season we've all been waiting for. As merchants, it's certainly an important time for us all, but it's great fun, too and a special time as well.
There's really a lot happening in Freeport right now, both for the holidays and otherwise, so we're going to get right to it! There's lots of info in this newsletter (and great opportuities, too) read on!
FMA Annual Meeting... The FMA Annual Meeting is Wednesday, November 14th at the Harraseeket Inn. Cocktails from 5 to 6, Meeting, Awards, etc, from 6 to 8.
Our keynote speaker is Barbara Whitten, President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland. Our theme is centered on partnerships, and several important FMA marketing partners will be on hand.
Exciting FMA Marketing concepts for 2008 and Strategic Planning for beyond will be discussed.
SPECIAL TREATS... Elan Studio will be on hand and providing revitalizing moments of massage, right on site. Harry & David will be bringing special treats for all FMA members that RSVP, so make sure you contact the FMA office with your RSVP or you'll miss out- 865-1212.
You can get a jump on your own holiday shopping and a bargain to boot at the Silent Auction table. (If you'd like a little extra promotion for your business contact the FMA office to donate an auction item.) Door prizes, too. And of course the great hospitality of the Harraseeket Inn makes it a special night. We hope to see you there!
Important Sparkle Stuff... Here are some highpoints of the upcoming Sparkle Weekend. (Download event schedule here) The Sparkle Parade will be held on Friday night at 6:00 pm. There is a new parade route this year... This year's parade will travel along Main Street starting at Holbrook Street( across from Town Hall) at 6:00 pm and moving north to Elm Street (by Azure Cafe, Claire Murray and Leapin' Lizards)
The Jolly Old Elf himself will arrive in style at the end of the parade, stopping briefly to bring Freeport's famous Talking Christmas Tree to life at the center of town, before finishing the parade route and then coming back for visits and photos at Nine West (76 Main Street).
Being in the Parade is a great way to highlight your business or organization. If you are planning a float, a mascot, marchers, a car, or whatever, please contact the FMA office at 865-1212 or info@freeportusa.com to get the details and forms. Remember - lots of lights!
There are sponsorships available for key Sparkle events, such as The Talking Tree, Hot Cocoa stops, and Santa. You can download a sponsorship form here, or use the Marketing Opportunities form at FreeportUSA.com Again, call if you have questions! Volunteers for the parade and other Sparkle events are needed, too. It's great fun. Contact the office!
Holiday Media Happenings and opportunities...
 WGME13 will be broadcasting LIVE from downtown Freeport on November 16th. The entire half-hour noon news will originate from the new L.L.Bean Hunting & Fishing store area and will likely feature interviews on Freeport and its holiday traditions and events.
The broadcast will be the day before the holiday season kicks off with the L.L.Bean Northern Lights Celebration and tree lighting on the 17th. It will be a great opportunity to invite our friends from a wide region to share with us in celebrating Northern Lights, Sparkle Weekend and the experience of Freeport for the holidays.
WGME has made some advertising packages available so individual merchants can tie in to all these happenings. You can view the package info here. Contact Julie Smith jsmith@wgme.sbgnet.com or 228-7716 at WGME directly for more details.
 WHOM94.9 (famous throughout New England as THE Holiday music source) has partnered with FMA for a tremendous promotion where listeners can win $1,000 shopping sprees in Freeport! Co-op promotions for your business are amazing! You can view the package info here. Contact Jeff Boutot jeff.boutot@citcomm.com or 321-4208 at WHOM directly for signup or details.
The Portland Press Herald will be running two different two-page bannered Holiday Shopping in Freeport pieces on the Wednesday before Thankgsgiving and the Sunday after. Great co-op ad opportunity there. too. Contact Don Wessels dwessels@pressherald.com or 791-6275 at the Press Herald for details.
eClub Holiday News going out soon... The first Freeport eClub Holiday News email blast will be going out next week. If you have sales or special events you would like to include, please email the info to dcollins@freeportusa.com by this Friday, November 9th.
Look for more news, notes and happenings in FMA Shop Talk and Bullet Point Updates coming soon!
Happy Holidays |
