RUSSELL – Thanks to the overwhelming support of Russell area businesses and organizations, the event formerly known as Plaid Friday is now a three-day event known as Plaid on the Plains. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, Russell residents and folks visiting Russell will enjoy a full weekend of fun and fellowship, shopping and sharing.

By a proclamation signed by Russell Mayor Curt Mader, November 24 through November 26, 2017 has been declared Plaid on the Plains weekend and encourages everyone to shop with locally owned businesses during the holiday season and all year round. Plaid on the Plains will consist of Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday and Sunday Funday.

Plaid Friday was first celebrated in 2009 in Oakland, CA, a city known for strong “shop local” campaigns. The Plaid Friday movement has grown across the nation, and even more so in the Russell area. Starting in 2010, Encore Antiques & Collectables hosted Plaid Friday events and in 2014 Encore Antiques encouraged local businesses to become involved. The Russell County Convention & Visitors Bureau stepped in to support the local Plaid Friday efforts by providing a limited number of plaid shopping bags filled with goodies and local information.

Small Business Saturday was first observed in the United States in 2010, and encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. The first event was sponsored and promoted by American Express via a nationwide radio and television advertising campaign. Encore first celebrated Small Business Saturday in 2011 and was recently named a Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion.

Rounding out the holiday weekend, Sunday Funday will be celebrated for the first time this year. A variety of events are being scheduled around town, allowing families to enjoy time together and pick up a few more bargains.

Encore Antiques & Collectables is serving as the headquarters for Plaid on the Plains. Shoppers are encouraged to start their Plaid on the Plains adventures at Encore where they can pick up their plaid shopping bag and the 2017 Shop Sheet. The Shop Sheet provides an overview of each participating business as well as a schedule of events for Sunday Funday. The Russell County Convention & Visitors Bureau and KRSL Russell Radio have assisted with out-reach and Office Products, Incorporated – Russell (OPI) has provided print and copy services.

“At Encore, we encourage folks to wear plaid when they’re out and about as a visible reminder to think local first,” said Sheryl Krug, co-owner of Encore Antiques & Collectables and local Plaid on the Plains coordinator. “On Plaid Friday at Encore, we offer discounts to all shoppers, but reward those shoppers wearing plaid with a gift.” Other Russell retailers will be offering a variety of discounts and promotions.

— Submitted