Most holidays elicit a gift-giving experience, but Christmas welcomes giving and receiving on an increased level. In conjunction with gifting, folks during the Christmas season thrive on cherishing the community, family members, and friends. Annapolis Business Association (ABA) teams up with downtown businesses to bring you another year of Midnight Madness, perhaps the greatest shopping event in all of Annapolis. We discussed this year’s Midnight Madness with Judy Buddensick, director of marketing and public events, and reproduce what we learned below.
What is it?
Essentially, Midnight Madness translates to a shopping extravaganza in downtown Annapolis when businesses stay open longer and offer better incentives for spending money.
“It’s an opporutnity for small businesses to compete for holiday shopping business against the big shopping malls,” says Buddensick. “We like to make sure people factor in shopping local. It’s your next door neighbor!” she adds. This year’s Midnight Madness marks Buddensick’s 15th year of putting together the event. It truly gets better with every passing year and just wait till you experience it this year!
The ABA’s Small Business Saturday–November 30–kickstarts the shopping season and functions to get customers and business owners ready for Midnight Madness. On Small Business Saturday, those who make three purchases downtown and take the receipts to the Park & Ride downtown will get a $25 American Express gift card. That’s money to spend at Midnight Madness!
Who participates?
Almost all of the businesses downtown (and some throughout Eastport and West Annapolis) stay open till midnight, offer discounts, provide refreshments, and even decorate their storefronts to enhance the Christmas spirit. Some businesses offer exceptional opportunities. For instance, Alpaca on Main Street will host a live alpaca outside the store, available to be pet. At the other end of Main Street, Lilac Bijoux will feature marked-down prices, a gift with purchased merchandise, and a raffle to win a basket packed with Lilac Bijoux goodies. Additionally, Lilac Bijoux will provide their beloved star cookies. Fern Elliott, co-owner of Lilac Bijoux, says “People know them already and come in every year asking for them!” Other downtown businesses will feature enticing deals and incentives to shop too.
There will be entertainment from The Old Mill High School Steel Drum Band; Bates Middle School Choir, who will be back for the third year; barber shop singers, who will perform in a large group setting and spread out along the streets; and, for the first time at Midnight Madness, Children’s Theatre of Annapolis will showcase numbers from upcoming shows.
Of course, all of the public is invited and should participate. “It brings out all ages,” Buddensick starts, “And it’s half shopping, half socializing. You often run into people you haven’t seen in ages!”
Who sponsors it?
Though Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, off Route 50, makes a large donation, the ABA is responsible for this holiday-spirited event. Some of the donations go to decorating downtown for Midnight Madness.
Along with Sheehy’s help, the ABA relies on proceeds from limited edition ornament sales. Each ornament, as pictured above, is hand-painted by a local artist and features the Thomas Point Light House. There are only 300 of these gems. Scoop one or two up at Annebeth’s, Eyes on Main, W.R. Chance Jewelers, The Peake House, The Annapolis Bookstore, Reynold’s Tavern, or Christmas Spirit.
What does it require?
The downtown shopping event requires neither a fee, admission, nor ticket. In fact, parking along the streets during the event is even free . The Circulator will be running in correlation to Midnight Madness shopping hours. On the night of the eleventh hour shopping–December 19–the Circulator will shuttle guests from downtown to the parking garages until 2 a.m.
What are some other features?
Buddensick explains there will be gift-wrapping available on West Street. This service only requires a donation to charity, done right on the spot.
Additionally, thanks to its sponsor, Midnight Madness will bring new Sheehy Lexus models to be on display in downtown.
The ABA will also provide contests, with very desirable prizes. To participate, you must visit certain stores. The ABA site will have details on the raffle as we inch closer to Midnight Madness.
What are the hours?
Midnight Madness will be in session three days in December, at different times:
Thursday, December 5, from open time to midnight
Thursday, December 12, from open time to midnight
Thursday, December 19, from open time to 11 p.m.
Further the Christmas vibe with this downtown Annapolis tradition. It’s easy, free, and fun. Learn more info about Midnight Madness at the ABA site linked above. Happy shopping!
Photo courtesy ABA.
Leave A Comment