ESCANABA — Downtown Escanaba’s Black Tuesday event will be an all-day affair this year. The annual event, which kicks off the holiday shopping season downtown, is organized by the Downtown Partners in Business and the Escanaba Downtown Development Association.

The event, scheduled for Tuesday, November 24, will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Organizers said they hope the expanded hours will make the event accessible to more shoppers.

According to Lisa LaLonde, president of Downtown Partners in Business, 24 businesses are taking part in the event this year. They will be offering holiday sales along with a chance for patrons to win money.

Each business will be giving away a $25 gift certificate. Shoppers can enter by registering at each participating business. All the entries will also have a chance to win a bigger prize — a $250 downtown shopping spree, sponsored by Embers Credit Union.

LaLonde said the Delta County Transit Authority will also be operating a shuttle bus in downtown Escanaba Tuesday for shoppers who do not want to use their vehicles. Some businesses will also be offering refreshments and snacks.

In addition to businesses taking part in Black Tuesday, LaLonde said several other businesses who are not participating also contributed to the event. They include: Northern Insurance, Great Lakes Wealth Management, Premier Real Estate, Garceau Insurance, Snyder, Larche, Haapala & Co., and Riverside Auto Group.

LaLonde urged residents to shop downtown during Black Tuesday and support local businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

For more about Black Tuesday go to page 8A of today’s Daily Press

Escanaba’s downtown Christmas tree lighting will also occur on Tuesday. Because of COVID-19, the tree lighting will be held virtually.

The ceremony will be held virtually online and streamed live on Facebook on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the Escanaba DDA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/escanaba.dda.”

“While we want to ensure people stay healthy and safe during this pandemic, our local businesses still need local support,” said DDA Executive Director Scott Czasak. “This holiday shopping season, we are strongly encouraging everyone the Spend Local and help locally owned businesses who have been hit hard during 2020.”