Above: Businesses in Downtown Fairmont are gearing up for Merry & Bright, which takes place this Friday night. Downtown business owners are also responsible for much of the decorating downtown, including the large pots.

FAIRMONT– A fun night on the town can be had this Friday during Downtown Fairmont’s Merry & Bright. Most stores will be open late with many offering deals, snacks and entertainment.

The night of late night shopping and fun was previously known as Holiday Delights and was put on by the Downtown Association. While the association isn’t really in operation right now, downtown business owners still wanted to continue with traditions.

In 2020 an event with the same intentions took place, Merry & Bright, and it continues this year.

“It’s a fun night to be downtown,” said DeeAnn Eversman, owner of Dee’s Floral and Designs.

She said each individual store does what it wants regarding snacks and sales. The night starts at 6 p.m. with many stores staying open until 10 p.m.

Some stores open late offering deals include Booj Boutique, D&S, Sovell Jewelry, Dee’s Floral and Designs, Good News Bookstore, Replay, Giddy Up Boutique, 12 Baskets, Fairmont Awards, Visual Identity Vault, Indulge Salon and Spa.

Eversman said some stores have drawings or a spin the wheel for deals and some will have a progressive sale with deals getting better as the night goes on.

Some stores aren’t just offering deals, but also offering an incentive to give back. Several stores are offering deals if so many non-perishable food items are brought in. At Dee’s, if you bring in four non-perishable items you’ll receive 50 percent off of one gift item. Indulge Salon and Spa is also offering 20 percent off one item with a donation of three non-perishable food items or a toy and D & S is offering 40 percent off with a donation of four non-perishables.

Other stores are also accepting non-perishable food items for Heaven’s Table Food Shelf.

In addition to deals, stores will be offering fun with free drinks and hors d’oeuvres. At Indulge Salon and Spa, Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance.

The Fairmont Opera House will also be showing two holiday movies Friday night with the first starting at 6 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m.

The Red Rock Center for the Arts also has entertainment Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. Robby Vee & His Rock-N-Roll Caravan will play A Rockin’ Holiday Concert. Tickets are available at redrockcenter.org, at Hyvee or at the door.

The night has the reputation as being the biggest shopping night of the year and is one that downtown business owners look forward to and plan for.

“We’re trying to continue on a tradition but it’s changed with everything going on,” Eversman said.

Many business owners have done what they can to not only keep the traditions alive, but keep Downtown Plaza looking merry & bright.

Eversman shared that the downtown business owners do a lot to decorate downtown for the holidays. She said Jeff Schlomann and Jeff Ehlert string the lights on the trees downtown and the big decorative pots are done by other business owners and their spouses.

Merry and Bright provides a good opportunity for the community to enjoy a meal or drink at a downtown restaurant and shop local while taking advantage of the deals the night offers.

Editor’s Note: This is not a complete list of deals or events. Other downtown businesses, churches or organizations may have offerings Friday night as well.