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Programs and Events
Programs
- Regional Marketing. The SFABA's marketing committee maintains a full program of efforts to make information about the region available to visitors from beyond West County, both to help them plan their visits and to guide them once they arrive in town. These efforts include the shelburnefalls.com Web site, tear-off guides with contact information and hours, group advertising opportunities, and a place map of the village and the region. The SFABA also provides informal support for the volunteer-staffed Village Information Center, which is open from May through October.
- Local Marketing Events. The SFABA organizes, coordinates, and promotes village-wide retail events (see below).
- Economic Development. Through the Shelburne Falls Area Partnership, the SFABA works on a number of economic development issues like downtown revitalization, streetscape refurbishment, accommodations for the physically disabled, and rural access to high-speed commercial Internet services.
- Village Management. The SFABA, through the Partnership, tackles issues of mutual business and town concerns. Some examples include parking management and accommodating additional trash collections. We also worked with the town of Shelburne on issues surrounding the town's closure of its access to the Glacial Potholes region in 2002.
- Business Training and Advice. The SFABA is a partner in Community Development Block Grants that provide training for new and young businesses through the Franklin County Community Development Corporation.
- Networking Opportunities. The SFABA organizes breakfasts in the spring and fall that provide venues to communicate with our membership and to let members and guests network. We also have some quieter summer and winter roundtables where members can discuss mutual concerns. Recent examples include discussing issues of concern to nonprofit organizations and discussion of customer service issues with a seasoned retailing veteran.
- Business Bulletin. The SFABA's newsletter keeps members abreast of SFABA activities several times a year.
Events
- Bridge Dinner. For the past several years, the SFABA has organized and coordinated the annual Bridge Dinner, where approximately 10 local restaurants and caterers provide dinner for 300 on the Iron Bridge that spans the Deerfield River. This year's Bridge Dinner will take place on Sunday, August ------. (See photos and the menu of the 2002 Bridge Dinner.)
- Road Race. The SFABA has been proud to sponsor the annual Bridge of Flowers 10K Road Race, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2003. The event brings an estimated --- people to town. This year's race takes the 2nd Saturday in August. (Visit the Road Race's own Web site for further information www.bridgeofflowers10k.com.)
- Moonlight Madness and the Lighting of the Village. The SFABA organizes and coordinates this beloved tradition every year on the Friday following Thanksgiving. Luminaries are placed throughout the business district, casting a warm, festive glow on the village. Businesses stay open until 10 p.m. and ring in the holiday season with special events and games. For the past couple of years, Father Christmas has come to the village and meets children at Santa's Workshop.
(Other events over the years have included Riverfest, Taste of the Hills, Daffodil Days, and the West County Health Fair.)
Fundraising Events
- Annual Auction and Dinner. The SFABA raises operating funds and promotes local goods and services in the process with the annual auction and dinner. The auction takes place each spring.
- Golf Outing. The SFABA raises funds and provides a great venue for members to have fun together at its annual Golf Outing in June. Golfers and non-golfers alike compete and enjoy a barbecue dinner.