Shoppers supporting Gettysburg area merchants may receive some extra cheer this holiday season.

The Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association (GARMA) board of directors will be popping into member businesses beginning Saturday and distributing $5 or $10 gift certificates to random shoppers.

​“You never know when someone will show up,” GARMA Board President Jennie Dillon said.

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Dear Friends,
Every year GARMA enjoys bringing the holiday spirit to downtown Gettysburg via our many decorations and celebrations. Outlined below is what will be occurring for Christmas 2021.
 
GARMA will continue the tradition of the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 26 (Black Friday). At 5:30pm the Square will be filled with holiday music and FREE hot chocolate will be served in front of the Gettysburg Hotel (hot chocolate courtesy of the Gettysburg Hotel). Streets will not be closed off during the event. The parking meters on Lincoln Square (just the circle) will be bagged during the event so people can gather on the sidewalks and overflow into parking spaces safely. At approximately 5:55pm Santa will make his way up York St. and into the Square. At 6pm Santa will light the tree.

After the tree has been lit, Santa will go to his Shanty on Lincoln Square (always parked in front of the Company K monument) and greet his visitors until 8pm.
Shanty Hours are
           Fridays 11/26 – 12/17, 5pm – 8pm
           Saturdays 11/27 – 12/18, 10am – 2pm and 3pm – 6pm
           Sundays 11/28 – 12/19, 12pm – 4pm
 
For those that aren’t able to visit Santa in person this holiday season, mailboxes will be located inside Artworks, 30 York St. and Best Western on Steinwehr Ave. Children can drop off their Letters to Santa at these locations. They will receive a double-sided postcard, with a holiday drawing that can be colored, from Santa acknowledging their letters
 
This year GARMA has come up with an exciting idea to get customers to shop local. GARMA will be giving out $1000 in gift certificates to shoppers as they’re shopping!! GARMA Elves will be out and about this holiday season stopping in GARMA businesses and giving out GARMA gift certificates to random customers. They can use these toward their purchase in that business or in others. Please make sure that your staff is trained to accept GARMA gift certificates. If you have questions on how to accept gift certificates, and then redeem them to GARMA, please reach out to any GARMA board member.
 
GARMA again, in partnership with the Borough, will offer Free Parking during the holidays. Free parking is Monday – Thursday from 8am-8pm. Friday – Sunday will be toll parking. Parking is only free at marked meters – Lincoln Square, First blocks of Carlisle, York, Chambersburg and Baltimore Streets, and the first block of Steinwehr Ave.
 
As this year has challenged us all in one way or another, we hope that everyone will continue to thrive, stay safe, forge on and look for a brighter new year. We, the board members of GARMA appreciate your support and continued membership. We strive for the best in 2022.
 
Sincerely,
Your GARMA Board

The Adams County Community Foundation’s November 5th Giving Spree is Adams County’s Day of Giving!

Connecting donors to groups and organizations that match their charitable intentions is an important role of the Adams County Community Foundation.

One of the ways we help facilitate that connection is through our annual Giving Spree. At the Giving Spree, everyone in the community is encouraged to learn about nonprofits and support them.
​ACCF Giving Spree - Read More

The holiday season is upon us. The countdowns to Christmas have already started, whether it be the actual days until the holiday, or how many Saturdays until the big day. We’re constantly being reminded of this via social media, radio, and TV. GARMA’s countdown has started, too.

Join us Friday, November 26 from 5:30 – 6:15 for the annual lighting of the Gettysburg Christmas Tree. Santa will light the tree at 6pm and then meet the little ones at his Shanty located on Lincoln Square. For more details visit www.gettysburgretailmerchants.com. This holiday season, from November 29 – December 30, GARMA will again be offering FREE holiday parking all day Monday through Thursday on select, marked meters. Those marked meters are located on the first blocks of Carlisle, York, Chambersburg and Baltimore Streets, Lincoln Square and the first block of Steinwehr Ave.

GARMA has come up with an exciting, fun way to put fast cash in your hands this holiday season. GARMA Elves will be spreading joy passing out GARMA Gift Certificates from Thanksgiving to Christmas. You may be out shopping or dining and one of our Elves hands you a GARMA Gift Certificate to use toward your purchase. Or save your gift certificate to use later. With over 65 businesses that are GARMA members you never know when you may encounter one of our Elves.

GARMA Gift Certificates are a great gift to give that “hard to buy for” person. Gift Certificates can be purchased at Artworks, 30 York St., Gettysburg Heritage Center, 297 Steinwehr Ave., and Goin’ Postal at the Gettysburg Outlets. Visit our website to see a list of all GARMA members who accept gift certificates. Gift certificates are a great way to try out a restaurant or shop you’ve always wanted to go to but kept putting it off.

The air is crisp and the leaves are falling just in time for First Friday, Gettysburg Style on November 5th. Shop, stroll and dine and have an “unbeleafable” time. You can visit the First Friday page on our website for a list of participating GARMA members. Click on the business logos and you’ll be directed to their website or Facebook page to see what events they may be having.

GARMA is also collecting items for our veterans the month of November. We will be supporting For the Love of a Veteran located in Hanover. They have provided us with a donation list that can be found on our website. Participating GARMA businesses will have a collection box with the wish list attached where you can drop off your donations.

Shop, dine, and support local. Be patient and be kind. Make someone smile.

​Jennie Dillon is the President of GARMA and owner of Artworks on York St.

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