Biz Buzz: Annual Midnight Madness and light parade happening in Rigby on Friday

Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

BIZ BRIEF

RIGBY

Rigby Chamber preparing for annual Christmas shopping event, COVID style

RIGBY – The Rigby Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the annual Midnight Madness sale and light parade this week.

The event is happening Friday, Dec. 4. A light parade will kick it off at 6:30 p.m. and some businesses in town will have sales going on until midnight.

Chamber President Teresa Anderson tells EastIdahoNews.com this year’s event will be much more low-key due to COVID-19, and the parade route will be different than in previous years.

“It will start at Squealers parking lot on Rigby Lake Drive and end at Rigby City Park,” Anderson says.

The route typically goes down Main Street, but that’s not happening this year.

From Squealers, it will head south towards Courthouse Way and turn right. It will continue on the Annis Highway past the Rigby canal, turn right on East 2nd North and left on North State Street towards the Broulim’s corporate office before turning right on North 1st West toward the city park.

Santa Claus will be in attendance.

“He’ll be at the end of the parade in a fire truck, but we’re not doing (the meet and greet afterward),” says Anderson. “People can go shop once the parade is over.”

The idea behind Midnight Madness is to promote Rigby businesses and allow customers to shop in stores until midnight. Anderson says the majority of businesses are having sales all day rather than staying open until midnight.

Pro Lube at 125 South State Street will be providing oil changes from 6 to 9 p.m. The owners are inviting you to swing by for free cookies and hot chocolate.

Idaho Drug and The Jefferson Star have hosted contests during Midnight Madness in previous years, but that’s another thing that’s not happening this year.

RELATED | Rigby encouraging businesses to work late for midnight madness

The theme for this year’s event is “a small-town Christmas.” If you’re planning on attending, city officials are asking you to stay 6 feet apart, wear face masks and stay home if you’re sick.

About 25 businesses have already registered to be in the parade as of Wednesday afternoon. More are expected to apply before the deadline at noon Thursday.

To register or learn more, call Anderson at (208) 745-8715 or email tanderson@gofirstfam.com.

BIZ BITS

Students at local elementary school awarded brand-new pair of boots and socks Wednesday

POCATELLO – Optum Idaho, in partnership with the Idaho State Department of Education and CAL Ranch Stores, is holding its second annual giving campaign and celebration, called “Give Cold Feet the Boot,” on Wednesday. Every student in Washington Elementary School in Pocatello walked away from school with new, warm winter boots. CAL Ranch Stores also donated a pair of socks to each child, helping to ensure little feet are kept warm this winter season. Eight elementary schools across Idaho, chosen by the Idaho State Department of Education, are recipients this year, doubling last year’s number. Roberts Elementary School and Chief Taghee Elementary School in Fort Hall are among them. Roberts Elementary students were awarded Wednesday, and Chief Taghee students were awarded Tuesday.

Local utility hosting ‘Stuff the Truck’ food drive this month

ASHTON – Fall River Electric Cooperative will be hosting its third annual holiday food drive called “Stuff the Truck” this month at four local grocery stores in Ashton, Rexburg, Driggs and West Yellowstone, Montana. For more details, see this story.

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