A new shop local initiative is encouraging people to get a little creative.
Timmins Festivals and Events Committee has launched a new campaign to support local businesses.
#TFECsLockdownLocks is on until the end of March. In TFEC style, there's a unique spin to it.
“We all have extra hair because hair salons have been closed. So we want you to use your crazy hair to show your support for a local business that you appreciate. You can cut a mullet, a mohawk, tease it, crimp it, mess it, go bald for business — anything you can do to spark the conversation. Nominate your friends or other local businesses to participate and you can win awesome Rock on the River prize packs,” said Jeremy Wilson, TFEC co-chair, in the video launching the campaign.
To enter, if you buy or donate at a participating local business, leave your name on the form provided.
You can also enter online by promoting a business with your crazy hair or helping to spread the word. Make sure to use the official #TFECsLockdownLocks hashtag or tag the organization.
TFEC organizes the popular Rock on the River music festival.
Restrictions and shutdowns for COVID-19 over the past year have made it a hard time for businesses, notes the group in the announcement.
"TFEC has thought long and hard about what we could do to help, especially considering many of our local businesses have been major sponsors and supporters of the Rock on the River Festival over the past five years," reads the news release.
The shop local initiative, explained Wilson, is an awareness campaign to support local businesses affected or struggling because of the pandemic.
"We want our community to realize the importance of supporting these places that make our community great,” he said.
“Let’s be real, small business owners are a proud and dedicated group that lay it all on the line and we feel it’s hard for them to come forward to ask for help. We want to open up the conversation to remove any stigma or insecurities and let everyone know it’s OK to ask for help. These businesses have been forced to close or reduce services with very little options. Remember these are the same businesses that have sponsored your kids’ sports teams and local events for decades, it’s our turn to return the favour. Let’s do this, Timmins."
More information on the campaign is available at TimminsFestivals.com.
