Downtown Lake Orion merchants will be hosting several special events throughout this holiday season.
There will be contests, rewards and events that are just plain fun for kids and adults, alike. All questions can be directed to the DDA Office at 248-693-9742.

Crates Coffee House hosts Small Business Saturday
Crates Coffee House will be hosting a Small Business Saturday kickoff on Nov. 26 from 9 a.m.- 11 a.m.
Crates hopes that area residents will choose to start their day off with coffee, pastries, live music and information regarding local businesses participating in Small Business Saturday. Orion musicians The D&A Duo, featuring Donna and Allan Nahajewski, will be providing live entertainment for all customers.
“We also hope local shoppers also will use this day as an opportunity to rediscover the new and improved M-24,” said owner, Andrea Rank. “It’s been a long season of construction and it’s just about over. It’s time for everyone to experience the improvements and to show their support for the local businesses that have been challenged during the roadwork.”

One-of-a-kind Presents at Art Center
The Orion Art Center will be hosting their Artists Holiday mart through Dec. 17.
The Art Center gallery is a seasonal gift shopping experience for one-of-a-kind works of local art. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Lake Orion community access art and clay studio, which has recently moved.
The Orion Art Center is located at 115 S. Anderson St. and is open Wed., Fri., Sat. noon-6 p.m. and Thurs. noon-8 p.m.

Decorative Windows Don Downtown Businesses
The DDA’s Window Display Contest is currently going on downtown.
The DDA would love to see downtown windows really shine. There are three categories in which winners will be selected. The first category is “Best Overall Use of Holiday Theme”, which the panel of three judges is hoping will best incorporate the Orion Lighted Parade’s Theme of Orion Superheroes. The second category will be “Overall Outstanding Holiday Display” where the three judges will pick their favorite. The third category will “People’s Choice”. This category will be selected by online votes on the DDA’s Facebook page. The photos will be uploaded Nov. 23 and the People’s Choice vote will take place through Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

 
Reward Yourself for Snapping a “Selfie”
The DDA will be promoting a “Show Your Selfie Downtown” program for the four weeks leading up to Christmas.
Shoppers can post a “selfie” inside of their favorite downtown shop or eatery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #shoplakeorion beginning Nov. 26. Random drawings from the selfies will happen once a week and the winners will receive $25 Downtown Lake Orion Gift Certificates.

Shop Small and Win Big
Local customers will receive entries into the DDA’s “Shop Small & Win Big” contest between Nov. 26 and Jan. 1.
Downtown businesses would like to thank shoppers for shopping at independent retailers and will reward each shopper with one entry for every $50 spent. The DDA will do two drawings per week. There will be eight $50 winners and one $100 winner between Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26 and Jan. 1.

Oakland County presents ShopSmall Initiative
Holiday shoppers who make a purchase at any Oakland County small business on Nov. 26 could win big from a program launched by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.
“Small Business Saturday” takes place Nov. 26 and encourages shoppers to do their holiday shopping local. Shoppers who enter a picture of their receipt from a purchase made on Nov. 26 at a small business in Oakland County are eligible to win $5,000, courtesy of North American Bancard. The second prize is $2,000, courtesy of Flagstar Bank, and third prize is a $500 voucher towards travel on Southwest Airlines at Flint Bishop International Airport. Those interested may register at AdvantageOakland.com/ShopSmall.

Ornament sales support Shop with a Hero

Make sure to grab your Knude Products locally produced ornament kits for $10.
Kits include 4 decorated ornaments and 100% of the proceeds support Shop with a Hero. Ornaments will be available at: Knude Products, Builders Custom Flooring, The Angel, the Witch & the Old Crow, Twice Blessed, Elixer Clothing, A Bean to Go Coffee, Home Depot Lake Orion, Northern Flooring, Crates Coffee House, Lake Orion Police Department and the Village of Lake Orion Offices.