We are busily preparing for Moscow's second annual Buy Local Winterfest on Thursday, December 4, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the 1912 Building. This year holds the promise to be even more festive than last year as we again celebrate the holiday season and the locally-owned businesses in our community. Admission to the Winterfest, the samples, the live music and the fun are all free.

The Co-op will participate, along with three local restaurants, providing free samples of delicious holiday foods. More than thirty other locally-owned independent businesses will also be there with displays and giveaways, offering plenty of opportunity for everyone to sample, share and shop.

A raffle of gifts and prizes from these locally-owned businesses will be held, with winners to be selected every 15 minutes. Raffle tickets will be available at the fest for $1 each. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Visiting with the owners of local businesses and seeing what's available locally for holiday giving is absolutely free.

More than 80 Moscow businesses, including the Co-op, have joined Buy Local Moscow since the organization was formed last year. The businesses are profiled on the Buy Local website: www.buylocalmoscow.com

The mission of Buy Local Moscow is to unite and support the locally-owned independent businesses of the Moscow community. Moscow continues to be a vibrant community because these businesses reinvest their profits locally, donate consistently to local programs, maintain diverse product choices, and strengthen Moscow's unique character.