As COVID-19 infection rates continue to climb in the Flathead Valley and beyond, the Whitefish Chamber -- and our downtown retailers and restaurants -- decided last week to cancel this year's Ladies Night/Day Out event, which had been scheduled for this weekend.

     After meeting via Zoom with a group of concerned downtown business owners, Chamber Membership Director Melisa Ellis announced that the popular annual shopping event has been cancelled for 2020.

     "We're obviously disappointed to have to cancel the event," Ellis said.  "Our staff -- and downtown businesses --  worked very hard to come up with a way to stage this event safely, and we had a pretty good plan in place to eliminate the crowds and craziness that Ladies Night Out is known for."

     Among other things, the event was changed from a one-night, three-hour madhouse to a more relaxed day-long Saturday afternoon event, and the usual array of crazy contests, give-aways and free libations were eliminated to create a safer atmosphere for all.  

     But in the end, there was no getting around the fact that COVID-19 is still on the rise in our community, and that events like Ladies Night Out have the potential to be "super-spreaders."

     "It's just too risky right now to hold this event," Ellis said.  "At a time when we are fighting just to keep our schools, our businesses and economy open, it seemed irresponsible to us to promote an event that typically brings hordes of happy customers to our downtown area."

     Ellis thanked the 40-plus Whitefish businesses for their participation in the planning of the event, and promised that Ladies Night Out will be back in 2021, bigger and better than ever.

     The information gathered will be compiled into a report which will be available to the community next week.  If you own more than one lodging property, the CVB asks that you please submit a separate survey for each business that you own/operate.

     The survey takes less than five minutes to complete, so CLICK HERE now to let us know how your hotel, motel, lodge, condo, rental home or bed and breakfast is faring for the Fall shoulder season and beyond!

     The City is discouraging kids from door-to-door treat gathering in our neighborhoods, and urging adults to "mask-up" and maintain social distance if they venture downtown on Oct. 31.

     Meanwhile, downtown merchants (and local parents) are wondering what -- if anything -- will be happening with the traditional "Trick or Treat Street" celebration in the Central Avenue business district this Halloween.

     The simple answer is ... nobody knows!  Park Side Credit Union and Montana Childrens have sponsored the festivities in years past, but both organizations have indicated that they won't be hosting the kids' costume contest, trunk-or-treat or any other organized activities this year.

     With no one stepping-up to run the show, it's apparently going to be up to our individual businesses to decide what (if anything) they'll be doing on Halloween.  We'll promote whatever it is that the business community decides to do ... but we can't make that call without your input.

     So ...  email [email protected] and let us know what your business is planning to do on Oct. 31.  We'll compile the results and let you know in next week's Chamber Update!

     For instance ... the Whitefish Parks & Rec Department is staging a "Virtual Costume Contest" for kids from 0-12 years of age, and awarding prizes for the scariest, most original and cutest costumes.

     Just post your photos on the Whitefish Parks & Recreation Facebook Page -- or on Instagram @WF_Parks_Recreation -- by Halloween night, and check back on Monday Nov. 2 to see the winners!