Great Cookie Caper returns for third year
The third annual Great Cookie Caper event will be taking place this year on Nov. 17 and 18. The event is hosted by many of the local businesses located within walking distance of campus, mainly on High Street and a few surrounding streets.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, people can wander through the business district of Waynesburg and go to any of the businesses participating in the event to get a free sample of a different type of cookie.
Each business will also be giving away a recipe for the cookies they are offering. People will also receive a map at the first location they visit to see all of the businesses participating in the event. Stores will be participating Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christy Vliet, who is the owner of one of the participating businesses, 5 Kidz Kandy, feels that the Great Cookie Caper is a good way to start the holiday season and a way for local residents and students to have a good time in town.
”This is kind of our way to kick off the holidays,” said Vliet. “There’s a lot of great recipes…we have fun with it, [and] people who come have a good time.”
In addition to getting free cookies and recipes, people will be able to enter a raffle at each store to win prizes and also be able to qualify for a separate “Grand Prize Treasure Basket,” which will be worth over $500.
To qualify for the “Grand Prize Treasure Basket,” people will need to get a punch card at any of the participating locations and then visit each business before dropping off their fully-punched card at the final location.
For the local businesses, the event acts as a fun promotional opportunity to make people aware of what the town has to offer.
”Mostly it’s just to introduce people to what…is new, and a tremendous number of people may not have been in our shop or somebody else’s shop,” said Jim Winegar, co-owner of the Artbeat Gallery, another one of the businesses taking part in the event. “It gives everybody an opportunity to see what is happening on the street…this kind of event gives them a nice reason to do some poking around and do some exploring.”
Winegar feels that the Great Cookie Caper helps build an environment that will get people to want to see what is going on in town and get them involved.
”We all try to have our business thrive as thoroughly as possible,” said Winegar. “That won’t happen if you don’t create an environment in the community that you get people out and enjoying the experience…”
Vliet said he is excited for people to come and get involved with the event this year, and hopes to get them excited for the upcoming season.
”We just want to see people come out, enjoy things and get in the spirit of the holidays,” said Vliet. “You get free cookies, free recipes and it is just a really fun day.”
Some of the businesses involved in the Great Cookie Caper are Carlisle Farmers Insurance, Fischer’s Antiques, Ruff Creek Crafts & Antiques, 5 Kidz Kandy, B&B Jewelry & Beads, the Fashion Shop, Made in America Gift Shoppe, Ivy Green Floral Honour Bound, Greene County Tourism and more.