It’s game-on for summer in Bala this Thursday with a unique showcase of the local business community.
The Bala Summer Season Opener – ‘Take Me Out To the Bala Game’ happens June 16th between 5 and 7 pm (and yes, you can shop before and dine after and still get in on the awesome Grand Slam prizes).
The public is invited to score a Grand Slam and win several valuable prizes by visiting at least 10 different Bala businesses that evening.
To do it, you’ll pick up your Season Opener Bala Cards at participating businesses on June 16 and have them marked at each 10 businesses you visit. Entries will then be put into a prize draw happening the next day – and the prizes are incredible!
“We really want people to come visit Bala to kick off summer,” explains Muskoka Lakes Chamber Executive Director Norah Fountain, who says prizes range from an Anne of Green Gables Hat with Braids, (a nod to it being 100 years this summer since Author Lucy Maude Montgomery came to Bala to write her book, ‘the Blue Castle’, together with a Lake-wear Muskoka hoodie, a beautiful Muskoka Pennant (below), which fits with the evening’s baseball theme, a piece of restored furniture from Second Life Restoration worth $400, and a hanging outdoor lounger worth $1,060.
“Four winners are going to walk away with a Grand Slam Prize Pack which will include anywhere between a couple of hundred dollars up to over $1,000 in value,” says Fountain.
To see a full prizing list, which includes great discounts at participating stores and even a chance to win tickets to see Our Lady Peace at the Kee, visit visitbala.ca
How did the Season Opener come about? A community led-meeting happened on May 16th which built upon a previous Bala business effort.
Sheila Overbeek, owner of Overboard Boutique, Tiffany Bol of Bala Bay Takeaway, Linda Hutton of Bala’s Museum and Glenn Zavitz of Second Life Restoration were all part of this year’s kick-off committee who took inspiration from the time area businesses had a rack card created called ‘Have a Ball in Bala’.
“We wanted to build on that and add to the baseball theme and make it our summer season opener,” says Fountain. “And hopefully it will be something that can go on from here year after year.”
And don’t worry – if you attend the opener this Thursday and decide to eat earlier or stay later than the 5-7 pm timeframe, area business’ specials will still stand – you can still dab your card everywhere stop you make and be entered in the draws the next day.
If you’re done your round before 8pm, you can drop the cards off in the mail slot at the Muskoka Lakes Chamber office located at 3181 Hwy 169, Unit 5.
If you stay out later, restaurants will hold onto your cards and submit them for you. And you can fill out more than one card too, as there are more than 20 area businesses taking part.
“I want to let the public know we are ready and open for business as a team,” says Sheila Overbeek. “We need to work together for our community to highlight our unique businesses in our charming town of Bala.” Overbeek adds there’s still time for other Bala businesses to join in the event.
“This is our kick-off to summer,” adds Fountain, who is excited to help showcase the wonderful deals and savings local businesses have on offer. “So, come win a grand slam prize: come show your love for local and have some fun. We’ll see you on the evening of June 16th. We’re game-on for summer.”
