Humboldt city and business representatives got together to light the community tree at the Humboldt and District Campgrounds to kick off the Christmas shopping season and Moonlight Madness on Nov. 18. The tree features decorations from Futuristic Industries, and Humboldt schools and daycares. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Rachel May

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Humboldt kicked off their holiday shopping season by turning on the lights to their festive tree.

On Nov 18, Humboldt held their official lighting of the Festive Tree at the Humboldt Historic Campground.

Mayor Michael Behiel, Chamber of Commerce president Brent Walker and Humboldt Downtown BID flipped the candy cane switches together to mark the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

Brent Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, said the community helps to make the tree what it is.

“We’ve got decorations from Futuristic Industries, daycares and elementary schools,” Fitzpatrick added. “We replenish it every year with new decorations. It’s a very symbolic way to turn on the shopping season.”

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The moonlight madness event featured local businesses and artists in Humboldt’s downtown area.

All retail fronts in the downtown area were opened past their usual 6 p.m. closing time including pharmacies, salons, convenience stores, clothing outlets and jewellery stores.

This year the chamber gave out something called BID bucks to those participating in the sale.

“They were good for $5 at any of the BID businesses. There was $500 in BID bucks out there.”

BID bucks were only valid during the moonlight madness event. The chamber paid the $5 back to local businesses that received the event currency.

St. Dominic’s School provided the entertainment for the community tree lighting on Nov. 18 at the Humboldt Historic Campgrounds. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

Although the event is over, the chamber wants to remind shoppers of the importance of supporting local businesses in the community.

“I can’t underline it enough. These are the people you have asked to help with your kids volleyball, park development or anything,” Fitzpatrick explained. “You have asked them to support you and they have done that, now is your time to do that.”

For more information about upcoming events for the holiday season, visit the Humboldt chamber of commerce Facebook page.

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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM