A new initiative in Peterborough County encourages both residents and visitors to experience “holiday magic” in The Kawarthas while supporting local businesses.
The county’s economic development and tourism department, along with all eight townships in the county, have partnered to offer the “Holiday Magic Digital Passport.”
Rhonda Keenan, Peterborough County’s general manager of economic development, told kawarthaNOW she hopes the initiative will boost sales for small businesses across the county while increasing awareness “of the amazing products and services available throughout the county — making people more likely to support local, shop local, and visit local.”
In addition to increased sales, the goal is to help business owners forge new connections throughout the county.
Overall, Keenan hopes the initiative showcases how the county and the eight townships “are successfully working together to support small business.”
More than 50 businesses across all eight townships are participating in the Holiday Magic Digital Passport initiative, where shoppers visit a participating business and, using the Driftscape app or a mobile browser, enter the business’s secret password to earn points.
For every 10 points collected until December 24, a shopper will receive one ballot they can enter for a weekly gift card draw starting November 24. The more points a shopper collects, the more ballots they can earn and enter. In addition to the weekly draws, a grand prize of $1,500 in gift cards will be drawn on January 7 (ballots must be submitted by December 31 to qualify).
“There’s something truly special about holiday shopping in The Kawarthas — the decorated storefronts, familiar faces, and the joy of finding the perfect gift close to home,” stated Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark. “The Holiday Magic Digital Passport brings that experience to life, encouraging all of us to embrace the season, share time with loved ones, and support the local businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities.”
The Holiday Magic Digital Passport is the second feature experience of “The Kawarthas Quest” series, Peterborough County’s broader economic development effort focused on strengthening small businesses and fostering community connection throughout the entire county.
The series of fun and interactive activities, designed to highlight the people, businesses, places, and stories that define The Kawarthas, began in October with the Lakefield Scavenger Hunt, created in partnership with Selwyn Township.
According to Peterborough County, more Kawarthas Quest experiences will roll out across all eight townships in the months to come.
For more information about the Holiday Magic Digital Passport, including instructions, visit thekawarthas.ca.
