Christmas is coming and the City of Maple Ridge is giving out grants to businesses who want to help make the city looking festive this holiday season.
Illuminate Maple Ridge is a new grant program where 20 businesses will be selected to receive $1,000 to create festive decor, activities, or promotions.
Selected businesses will be featured in promotional materials and will be responsible to collaborate with the community to come up with ideas to make the season unforgettable.
“The Illuminate Maple Ridge grant program is an opportunity for our community to come together, create a magical holiday season and support our local businesses,” said Tyler Westover, director of economic development.
“We invite businesses to apply for this opportunity to showcase their business and be part of illuminating Maple Ridge with holiday spirit,” he added.
Formerly known as Glow Maple Ridge, Illuminate Maple Ridge will offer a variety of family-friendly activities.
New this year, the City’s civic centre at Haney Place will glow with vibrant colour displays.
Traditional red bells, a downtown fixture since the mid-sixties, will also add to the festive spirit, in addition to the Business Improvement Association’s sound-activated Christmas tree.
READ MORE: Fire and rain at GLOW Maple Ridge launch event
The contest is open to local small and medium-sized businesses and winners will be selected by a panel of judges.
Businesses must fill out an application that should outline how they plan to use the grant funds. Businesses are encouraged to collaborate with neighbouring establishments, local artists, performers, and community groups.
The program is being run in collaboration with the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce.
ALSO: Maple Ridge light display awarded $10,000 in provincial funding
Applications can be submitted at mapleridge.ca/illuminate. Deadline is Sunday, Oct. 15.
Selected businesses will be announced on Friday, Nov. 10.
Illuminate Maple Ridge will run from Friday, Nov. 24 to Friday, Jan. 5.
To learn more about the contest, contact the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce at info@ridgemeadowschamber.com or 604-457-4599 or the City of Maple Ridge’s Tourism Office at tourism@mapleridge.ca or 604-467-7397.