caramelc's blog

The first annual Heart of Winter Celebration was a huge success!  We had approximately 3000 people attend.  The goals of the HoW were to bring people downtown, provide a family-friendly, fresh air event, and raise money for The Day by Day Warming Shelter.  We are happy to say that all three goals were accomplished!  Even with fairly 'unwintery' weather, we managed to have a great event.  Thank you to all of our hard-working volunteers!  This would not have happened without so many people spending their valuable free time to help out!  Thanks to all the businesses and individuals that donated generously to fund this event, and to those that donated all these great raffle prizes!  Finally, a big thanks to everyone that came out to have some fun, support Downtown Oshkosh, and donate money to a good cause!  Next year on February 16th, 2013, we will have our 2nd annual Heart of Winter event!  We learned a lot this first time out, and HoW will be bigger and BETTER!

The day is finally here!  Tomorrow from 11 to 3, the LONG awaited winter event for Downtown Oshkosh!!!  Tons of winter fun for the kids outside, and also fun for Mom & Dad at the Art & Craft Fair in the Bank Building on the 400 block of Main.  Warm up at The Grand Opera House with more activities indoors!  We are serving specialty drinks to keep you warm on the inside!  We have ice carvers creating frozen art on the square!  There will be Siberian Huskies, ice bowling and other games.  A scavenger hunt for snowmen!  Oh, and feeling lucky?  We have a big raffle: Kindles, Wii's, kids' bikes, tons of gift certificates for local restaurants, and baskets donated by area businesses.  Best of all, it's for a good cause!  All proceeds going to the Day by Day Warming Shelter.  We hope to see you there!!

We have tons of great gift ideas for your Sweetie on Valentines Day!  From a cute cuddly stuffed bear to coffee cups to sweet treats.  We even have some Valentine's Decor...for that hard-to-buy-for someone in your life.  We also can make you a special Valentine's Gift Basket full of popcorn and vintage candies!

Recently I have been focusing my attention on tea.  I have been adding tea cups, tea tumblers, loose leaf tea, tea bags, tea gift boxes, tea defusers, honey, strainers...well you get the idea.  I am excited to announce we will be dedicating a whole area to tea!  Please, to all you tea drinkers, share your wants and wishes with me!

Save the Date, February 18th from 11 until 3pm we'll be having the 1st annual Heart of Winter Celebration!  There will be food, craft vendors, fun events and hopefully some snow fun!  All proceeds go to The Day by Day warming shelter.

Mark your calendar, this Saturday you can run through the park and do Race for The Lights, sponsored by Christine Anne Center.  After that, stop downtwon to warm up with some hot chocolate and browse your local businesses for Christmas gifts during Gallery Walk!

You hear a ton about Black Friday and now you even hear a great deal about cyber Monday...but you hear very little about Small Business Saturday?  Well, this Saturday, tomorrow, is Small Business Saturday!  Keep you money local!  Do you know every cent you spend on the internet, not one penny comes back into your community.

Saturday December 3rd, Race for the Lights, sponsored by Christine Ann Center, a 5K run/walk through the Park!!!  How fun with all the lights at night.  Then after that you can race on down to Downtown for Gallery Walk!  From 6pm until 9pm...Stop in for our special Hot Chocolate and browse our gift shop for that special gift!

Shop Local Shop Your Downtown!  This Saturday we are offering carriage rides, open houses, specials throughout downtown...also look for the wondering Madrigals singing!

Yep it's true, Santa is letting us take pictures with some of his reindeer while he gets ready for the parade (he only needs a couple to get here fomr the North Pole, not all 8 for such a short trip) Thursday 3:30 until 5:30! Pictures and Food...then Tree lighting and the Parade!