The largest-ever Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase returns to the Bismarck Event Center, Friday through Sunday, Dec. 4-6.
“With more than 200 Pride of Dakota companies, this is a great opportunity to do your holiday shopping,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Shoppers will find a tremendous variety of foods, decorative and gift items, sporting goods, jewelry, recordings, books, apparel, pet items and much more.”
Showcase hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $2 per adult.
“Shoppers will get a free reusable, cloth bag with their paid admission,” Goehring said. “These bags can be used for other holiday shopping, trips to the grocery store and more.” The bags are sponsored by the Bank of North Dakota, Great River Energy, and the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.
Shoppers who bring their own reusable bag get $1 off their admission.
Goehring said paid admission also includes a Pride of Dakota Passport.
“Take your Passport to each of the three stamping stations in the Event Center Exhibit Hall,” he said. “A volunteer at each station will stamp your passport which you can enter in a drawing for $250 in Pride of Dakota bucks. This prize money can be spent at the Showcase, online or directly through a Pride of Dakota member company.”
The drawing will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday. Participants need not be present to win. The Passport prize is sponsored by the North Dakota Wheat Commission. A second drawing will be held at 3:45 p.m. for a Pride of Dakota gift basket valued at $100.
Goehring said as a measure of appreciation for service men and women, all active and retired members of the armed forces and their families save $1 on admission with military identification.
Additionally, retailers can receive one dollar off their admission by presenting their sales tax license at the door. “This is a great opportunity to purchase a few items to try in your store before establishing a wholesale order. Plus, retailers can support a fellow North Dakota small business in the process,” said Goehring. “It’s a chance to begin a working relationship that could be beneficial for many companies and local retail stores.”
Parking is free and Showcase admission tables will be located in the Exhibit Hall lobby.
Administered by the Marketing and Information Division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as in-store demonstrations, Pride of Dakota Day and the Holiday and Harvest Showcases. The program also provides educational opportunities and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions. More than 500 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members.
*View the showcase vendor list.
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