DAVENPORT, IOWA (November 13, 2023) — The holiday season is upon us and Downtown Davenport Partnership, Downtown Bettendorf Organization, and Rock Island Downtown Alliance are excited to announce Deck the Downtowns, presented by TBK Bank, a series of jolly holiday promotions encouraging people to eat, drink, shop, and be merry downtown from November 18, 2023–January 1, 2024.
Throughout the three downtowns, more than ninety businesses will participate in the Holiday Display Challenge by decorating their storefronts for the holidays. New this year, dozens of local artists have been hired to paint many of the festive storefronts. Patrons can pick up a flyer at downtown businesses to find all participating locations and vote for their favorite display for a chance to win gift cards and goodies.
In downtown Davenport, patrons will hunt for the holiday pickle ornament. Throughout downtown, join the German tradition of hunting for a pickle ornament, created with 3-D printers by students at Western Illinois University — Quad Cities. In order to play, official hunt cards can be picked up at one of the forty-plus participating businesses. Those who find ten pickles and turn in their completed card at either the German American Heritage Center or downtown Davenport Public Library will win a pickle ornament for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win gift cards and a grand prize.
In downtown Rock Island, patrons will hunt for the holiday train ornament, inspired by the rich railroad history in Rock Island. Back for a second consecutive year with a new design, the custom-crafted train ornaments laser-cut by Crawford Company and decorated by Jackson Autobody and Custom Paint can be discovered at 45-plus businesses in downtown Rock Island. Those who find ten holiday trains and turn in their completed stamp card at the downtown Rock Island Library, Quad City Arts, or Quad City Botanical Center will win a train ornament for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize.
On Small Business Saturday, November 25, the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) will distribute over $1,000 in gift cards from downtown businesses as a thank-you to customers for shopping local. At the ImpactLife mobile blood drive, 10AM-1PM, at the Capitol Theatre, 330 W 3rd St, DDP will provide gift cards to anyone who donates blood.
Downtowns are a great place to find that special gift for everyone on your list. Deck the Downtowns supports the Keep It QC initiative which encourages Quad Citizens to spend locally, because every dollar we keep in the Quad Cities drives our economy.
