By: Jenna Beresheim News Editor
An overcast Saturday was not enough to stave off participants of the Discover MI Town event hosted between both Monmouth and Independence on May 21.
Colorful plastic bags boasting the logo of the event were held by many as individuals moved from one shop to another, led by a Monopoly-inspired map of various places around both towns.
This reporter’s route consisted of the following stops: Arena Sports Bar & Grill, Three Legged Dog, Petals & Vines, Rogue, Main Street Ice Cream Parlor, and Crush Wine Bar & Tasting Room.
Shops each hosted their own unique way of welcoming players of Discover MI Town Monopoly. While Arena Sports Bar & Grill offered a triple-threat sampler of beers with a side of their famous hot wings, Petals & Vines offered buttons and pins from a basket on their counter.
“Personally, my offer is just letting you sample whatever drinks I have in stock right now,” stated Joshua Brandt, the owner of Crush Wine Bar & Tasting Room.
Over 27 businesses participated in the spotlight and helped to sponsor the event, ranging from eateries to larger businesses such as Goodwill Industries.
The event was hosted by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and managed by Jean Love.
A free shuttle service was also offered between both towns’ focal points to encourage visiting all possible pitstops mapped out for the day. This also supported individuals who wished to partake in the multiple opportunities to imbibe throughout the day without worrying about transportation between stops.
To sweeten the deal, a grand prize raffle was offered to individuals once they purchased tickets – filling out a small business card once they were given their wristbands.
The winner of this raffle would take home an entire table of goodies ranging from bottles of Rogue to shirts and soccer balls – an estimated worth of over $700 in tangible goods. Owners of shops were to donate a physical item and could donate gift certificates on top of that if they wished.
For a full breakdown of the shop’s that participated, go online to: http://bit.ly/1s27XXS
Contact the author at Jberesheim11@wou.edu or on Twitter @WOUjournalnews
