From the CEO: December 6, 2024
The 2024 River Dazzle is behind us and so is the 2024 Chamber Community Event season. Despite colder temps for this year’s River Dazzle, we enjoyed great weather for all of our events, and it was a successful year. On behalf of the Chamber staff and Board of Directors we would like to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers and the City of River Falls for helping us make the community events happen.
River Dazzle was greeted by a chilly sunny day with temps in the single digits and teens. But the colder temperatures did not dampen the spirits of the many that came out for the festivities. Our first ever Santa Claus Run was success with over 50 participants and the live stream of the parade was viewed over 650 times and counting! River Dazzle is sponsored by the River Falls Business Improvement District and our thanks goes out to them for the funding to host River Dazzle in addition to the other projects and programs they fund including downtown flowers and downtown sign and façade grants.
This is Small Business Season, and we encourage you to shop locally during the holidays. Of course, we will all do some shopping online but let us remember the value of shopping locally. We have many local retailers offering interesting and unique gifts. Give the gift of good food and drink by purchasing a gift card from a local bar or restaurant. Do not forget how nice it is to get the gift of a spa day, getting your nails done, a yoga lesson, a grocery gift card, a night out at the movies or just the simple joy of taking someone to a local concert. The list of great gift ideas is limited only by your imagination. There are local businesses ready and able to help you make your special gift idea a reality.
We have made the decision to retire the Chamber Checks program and will no longer be selling them. All outstanding Chamber Checks will continue to be honored, and we ask our participating members to continue accepting them. The usage of Chamber Checks has dropped significantly since COVID. It was a great program when most businesses did not have easy to purchase gift cards but as most businesses now have swipe able gift cards and the advent of being able to digital gift cards, our Chamber Checks program became outdated and used less and less frequently.
The Chamber recently held our Board of Directors elections with Amanda Berndt – Riverwood Group and Jeff Wesley - Juniors being re-elected to second terms. The Board will be welcoming new members, Fred Barr – Tarnation Tavern, Nicole Nielwony – Rodli, Beskar, Neuhaus, Murray & Pletcher, Kelli Burrows – UWRF and Isabel Toledo – Rise Baking at the January Board meeting. Thank you to all of our new Board members for their willingness to join the Chamber leadership team.
We are often asked for the dates of upcoming Chamber and community events. Here is the list so far:
· Annual Awards Banquet: February 6, 2025
· State of the Chamber Breakfast: April 10, 2025
· Bluegrass, Bourbon and Brews: April 25 - 27, 2025
· Chamber Golf Outing: June 10, 2025
· River Falls Days: July 10 - 13, 2025
· Bacon Bash: September 19 – 21, 2025
· River Dazzle: November 28, 2025
Lastly, the Chamber office will be closed starting December 23rd, 2024, and re-open on Thursday, January 2nd. We will be monitoring emails on December 23, 26, 27 and 30, 2024.
Looks like it is going to be a more traditional winter this year with an early start to ice fishing season. Get out and enjoy all our River Falls area has to offer!
