Cash prizes up to $1000, Elfie-Selfies that support local food programs and more

Union Square Main Streets (USMS) announces details for its 6th Annual Holiday Stroll including rad retail, unique eats, a mile long inflatable trail, the Keep Small Strong Challenge and much more. This free and family friendly celebration began Friday, December 4 and continues throughout the square for eight days. 

Over 40 Union Square businesses are participating in this year’s Stroll.  A few new and not to be missed experiences for adults, kids and canine companions include ‘Boozy not boozy hot mulled cider’ by CREATE Gallery & Cocktail Lounge, Free Temperament Tests for Pups at Elliot’s House Pet Care, and send your letters to Santa this year at 4GoodVibes, response is guaranteed.  

“The USMS Board felt strongly that creating opportunities for joy while showcasing Union Square’s diverse local businesses by keeping this holiday tradition alive matters more than ever,” said Jessica Eshleman, Executive Director, USMS. ” The Union Square community came together to ensure this year’s Stroll not only provides a safe environment for holiday shopping, dining, and merriment with a mask, but keeps the uniqueness of this neighborhood vibing and thriving.” 

Stroll Union Square’s mile long FESTIVUS Inflatable Trail, snap an Elfie-Selfie along the way, post and tag @unionsquarems on social media for a chance to win one of three prizes up to $1000. For every tagged post, SOMERNOVA will donate $25 to the Union Square SNAP match, supplementing the food budget of needy families. Thanks to Somernova, the chance to win cash while fighting food insecurity is just a selfie away.  

“Although 2020 has been a difficult year, we hope that this year’s Holiday Stroll can still bring laughter, warmth, and support for the local communities and local businesses in Somerville fashion,”  said Collin Yip, Managing Director, Rafi (owner of Somernova). “ We especially applaud and appreciate Jessica Echelon and her team of Union Square Main Street for putting the event together and continuing the tradition.”

Additional Holiday Stroll experiences include:

• Keep Small Strong Challenge: Get merry with a mask and stay loyal to local Union Square businesses this holiday season by shopping, dining or visiting them online. SAVE three of your receipts from purchases at Union Square businesses then email the photo to Stroll@unionsquaremain.org and enter for a chance to win a cash prize of up to $1,000! **Shopping in person or online allowed. Multiple entries encouraged for repeat visits and purchases.**

• Storefront Decorating Contest:  Your vote not only enters you to win a cash price, but your favorite business can also win a $500 cash prize! Voting starts Wednesday and participating businesses can be found here.

Three Stroll participants who bundle up and come on down or snuggle up and shop from home will win cash prizes of $250, $500 or $1000 to be announced on December 16.

The 6th Annual Holiday Stroll is presented by Union Square Main Streets, Inc. and made possible by generous support from Liberty Cannabis, Somernova, Boynton—Yards, a DLJ + Leggat McCall Project, USQ, East Boston Savings Bank, Kristin Chalmers Photography, Naveo Credit Union, and Thalia Tringo & Associates Real Estate