SRC ‘shopping spree’ drawing set Dec. 12

Residents and visitors alike were motivated to shop Alleghany this holiday season with the support of the Sparta Revitalization Committee and its’ president, George White.

White said he got the idea of holding a Christmas shopping spree — that has now exceeded $1,000 in value — in Alleghany during the first holiday season he and his family lived in the county. He ran into friends at a local restaurant who told him they came to Sparta to get their Christmas tree as a family tradition.

“We thought we would shoot a commercial to get people’s attention about Sparta,” White said. The commercial aired on WXII-Channel 12, an NBC affiliate. “We want to encourage individuals to come and get their tree here; and while you’re here, shop, eat and have a nice day. Start a family tradition of your own.”

Local tree farmers participating in the annual Choose and Cut event, as well as about 50 local merchants received registration forms for the Christmas shopping spree prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We didn’t want them (out-of-towners) to get a tree then turn around and go right back home,” White said. “We wanted them to stop at merchant’s and buy some things and stop at the restaurants. In other words, spend money in Sparta and for some of them to discover Sparta.” White stated the commercials served as preliminary coverage the area had received regarding the Choose and Cut event and the county being the home of this year’s presidential tree. The national tree was cut Thanksgiving week from Smokey Holler Tree Farm in Laurel Springs.

White explained, “We got to thinking: To help them (the merchants), we started this Shop in Sparta Shopping Spree. We took registration forms to Choose and Cut folks so when someone bought a tree, they also were given a registration form to take downtown and register at one of the stores. (Entrants) will be eligible for the drawing for the $1,000 plus shopping spree. Others can go directly to the participating merchants, banks and restaurants to register.”

White noted he was pleased with the response the campaign had received thus far.

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