In the spirit of the season, the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce has produced this special holiday edition of Chamber at a Glance, highlighting the myriad of unique and festive events and special local shopping promotions happening in every Cape Ann community. As you will see, there is so much going on everywhere, if you happen to miss a visit from Santa or the lighting of a Christmas tree in your community, chances are very good that you and your family can still experience all that and more in your neighboring Cape Ann city or town.
So as Thanksgiving Day nears, and the holiday season is almost upon us, all of us on your Chamber team want to wish you and yours a most happy and healthy, joyous and prosperous Cape Ann holiday season.
Cape Ann Chamber Holiday Parties
Wednesday, November 28, 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Manchester Division featuring Lucky Nine Drawing
The Landing at 7 Central
7 Central Street, Manchester
Tuesday, December 4, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Rockport Division featuring the Half-Price Sale
The Fish Shack Restaurant
21 Dock Square, Rockport
Thursday, December 6, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Essex Division featuring the Clamfest Awards
The Fortune Palace Restaurant
99 Main Street, Essex
Wednesday, December 19, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Cape Ann Chamber Holiday Party
Chamber Office
33 Commercial Street, Gloucester
Essex Holiday Festival
Thursday, November 29 to Saturday, December 1
The first weekend of December is set aside in anticipation of this very special time of year…the giving and sharing of holiday spirit in Essex.
Thursday, November 29, 6:30 pm Join us for a solemn, special ceremony, the lighting of our Memory Tree at Town Hall on Martin Street, where we honor our lost loved ones. The town’s children’s bell choir performs in the background.
Friday, November 30, 6:30 pm Santa arrives by boat at the Town Landing on the Essex River . From there he and Mrs. Claus will go to the Waterline Center of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Children get to sit on Santa’s lap and review their holiday "wish list". Refreshments of clam chowder, donuts and hot chocolate are served.
Saturday, December 1, 8:00 to 11:00 am Breakfast with Santa with crafts, songs and photos is held at the Essex Elementary School on Story Street. Come join in all the fun!
Shop locally all day Saturday during Essex’s 4th Annual Holiday Shopping Day. Many participating businesses will be offering everything from free food and drink, discounts and sales to complimentary gift wrapping until 8 pm. There will be raffle prizes and silent auction items to bid on, storytelling and caroling. Eat, Shop and be Merry in Essex!
Gloucester Downtown Holiday Events
Friday, November 23 to Thursday, December 20
November 23
BLACK FRIDAY – SHOP LOCAL – Twenty five Shops opening at 6AM – With Special Discounts. Look for the Gold Star in Participating Windows.
November 25
Gloucester Downtown Christmas Parade starting at 3PM at the State Fish Pier on Parker Street proceeding to Main Street to Western Avenue.
The Annual Tree Lighting at Kent Circle will follow the Christmas Parade.
December 6
The 38th Annual Ladies Night – Stores will be open late. Many offering
refreshments and special offers. With every item purchased receive a free
entry to the $1,500 Shopping Spree.
December 8
The Middle Street Walk – 10AM to 3PM – FREE – During the day there will be concerts and special events at: Cape Ann Museum, Sawyer Free Library, Trinity Church, Universal Unitarian Church, Sargent House Museum, and more!
Full list of events on The Middle Street Walk’s Facebook page.
The Annual lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree at 4:45PM.
December 10
Bank Gloucester’s Tree Lighting 5 – 6PM. A reception to follow in the Bank Lobby, to benefit Hospice of the North Shore.
December 13
The 38th Annual Men’s Night – Stores open late. Many offering refreshments and special offers. With every item purchased receive a free entry to the $1,500 Shopping Spree (REMINDER: last day to enter is December 19).
December 20
The 1st Annual Family and Friends Night. Stores open late! Restaurants will
offer free desert or appetizers! Carolers strolling Main Street! Gather your friends and family and join us and enjoy the evening.
Santa will draw the Winning Ticket at 9 pm, to the $1,500. Shopping Spree.
Christmas-by-the-Sea
Wednesday, November 28 to Sunday, December 2
Open Houses in the shops all weekend long!
Thursday, November 29 5:00 to 8:00 pm: Manchester Division Party featuring the Lucky Nine Drawing at The Landing (tickets $25; grand prize $1,000, more than 20 prizes in all!)
Friday, November 30: Shop Manchester Night! 4:00 to 9:00 pm
How to Play
-Get a Shop Manchester Night Passbook, available by mid-November from participating stores.
-Collect stamps from ALL participating shops, between 4:00 and 9:00 pm.
-Bring your Passbook to The Landing for a complimentary drink and a gift pack filled with valuable gift certificates from local merchants valued at over $200! Plus be entered in a drawing for a brand new Google Nexus 7 Tablet.
Saturday, December 1: Santa arrives by tug boat, Jingle Bell Walk, Surfari’s Stand Up Paddleboard’s harbor "parade", weekend shop-around event, Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, December 2: Concert, weekend shop around event, Friendship Tree lighting, and shop around prize winners announced
Rockport Holiday Events
Saturday, December 1 to Monday, December 31
Over 100 Quaint Shops & Art Galleries
Unique Gifts for the Whole Family in Every Price Range
Strolling Minstrels & Carollers ~ Gaily Decorated Streets & Stores
Fairs, Festivals & Concerts Seaside Inns & Restaurants Open for Your Enjoyment
December 1
Santa’s Arrival by Boat * Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 7
Shop Rockport! A Festive Evening of Exclusive Events! 4:00 to 8:00 pm
December 8
"Seashells and Jingle Bells" Inn & Kitchen Tour, 1:00 to 5:00 pm
December 8 – 9
Seaside Village Open House
11th Annual Holiday Gallery Stroll
December 22
67th Annual Christmas Pageant
December 31
New Year’s Rockport Eve 2012
For further information and a complete Calendar of Events for this month-long program, now in its 28th year, contact the Rockport division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at 978-283-1601 or visit us on the web at www.rockportusa.com.
Celebrate the Holidays on Cape Ann!
Shop Local!
The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce invites you to join the
Cape Ann Gift Certificate Program!
Great gift idea and a wonderful promotional opportunity for the
upcoming Holiday Season!
Don’t delay – It is FREE TO JOIN this tremendously successful program.
How Does My Business Benefit?
The Program creates economic growth on Cape Ann
Free advertising and exposure for your business
Access to dollars that stay on Cape Ann
How Does It Work?
Certificates are deposited as a check – just fill in the store name in the payee space. The Chamber maintains an account funded by the original purchase of the gift certificate. Certificates can be purchased for $10 and up.
How Is It Promoted?
– Gloucester Daily Times ads
– Cape Ann Beacon ads
– Tent cards at cash registers, window decals, signs at Shaw’s Supermarkets
– Mentioned at Chamber events
– Special notice sent to Human Resource Directors of Cape Ann’s largest
employers
How Much Does It Cost?
There is no charge to join in the Cape Ann Gift Certificate program –
participation is a benefit of Chamber membership
Who Participates?
The Chamber encourages participation from all Cape Ann business types: retail, dining, hospitality, services, and professional.
There are currently over 200 Chamber members participating in the program.
The names of participating businesses are given out with each gift certificate sale, and are listed on the Chamber’s website at
www.capeannchamber.com/giftcert.pdf
Where Can They Be Purchased?
– At the Chamber office in Gloucester
– At both Shaw’s Supermarket Gloucester locations
How Many Gift Certificates Have Been Sold?
Sold in 2010: Over $87,000 worth
Sold in 2011: Over $81,000 worth
Sold in 2012 (to date): Over $36,000 worth
Good Morning Gloucester 