This past weekend between the 60-plus degrees to start the Thanksgiving break that ended with a blizzard was one many people will talk about for many years.
Thankfully I managed my way through and got back to Dodge City (by heading home Saturday night instead of waiting until Sunday.)
The snow on Sunday provided a Christmas feel to a downtown tradition in Dodge City with a chili cook-off and feed, a parade, lighting of a mayor’s tree and stores opening for shopper convenience.
Our High Plains Journal team, led by vice president of operations and chef Lawrence Lampe with myself and livestock sales representative Nick Wells in assistance, did not place but we probably had as much fun as anyone who participated. While it got cold after the sun went down it was fun to see many smiling faces awaiting the taste of many chili concoctions.
Any event that brings people to a community square generates a hometown feel that is unmatched. People from all socio-economic backgrounds can watch, eat and share a few jokes. No money changed hands. The commerce was measured in smiles.
As I have observed over the years the opportunity to see Christmas events—from the Plaza of Kansas City, Missouri, to towns of only a few hundred folks—has not been lost on me. The appearance of Santa Claus and good vibes from the holiday season makes me feel optimistic. From the way crowds gather I can tell I’m alone.
Today’s seasonal events provide a valuable link to the past. The iconic hometown discount merchants from a different era—Ben Franklin, ALCO and Gibson’s have been replaced by large discount retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. Those stores provide a Christmas shopper with about every selection of a present could want. Still, I tend to wander out to the other stores, some of which served as anchors to holiday events. The large stores rarely participate in community Christmas events because their footprint is large enough they have to stick to well-designed plans for marketing, stocking and staffing to get through a busy season.
At the downtown level, most of the large retailers have long left the landscape, preferring more sprawling regions in a community. The remaining stores are often a hodge-podge where you might find a store that sells toys beside a second-hand store. They all serve a need and many times they provide gifts for giveaways that are sponsored by a chamber of commerce or similar entity.
Regardless of the size of store, the Christmas seasons represents the most important time to capture retail dollars. This year, with Thanksgiving on Nov. 22, it means all retailers get the equivalent of an extra week to sell their goods.
My Christmas wish is that all readers will give all merchants an ample opportunity to see what is available in their hometown and spend accordingly.
