The Downtown Business Association (DBA) held their Holiday Hoopla, featuring events all over the downtown on Saturday, Nov. 26. From ice sculptures, wood carvings, breakfast with Santa, pictures with Santa, Mrs. Claus or Frosty the Snowman to great deals in the shops and great food in the restaurants. Second Street was packed all day with shoppers, families and folks out enjoying the beautiful weather.

“Like anything, we start out with baby steps, and they get bigger,” said Mayor Mary Fasbender. “I’m so happy that this year, and I think the weather might have had something to it, but I think the word gets out and we had a wonderful day downtown.”

“The Downtown Business Association has been working for years and years to make this a turnout that is marketable,” said Spiral Brewery co-owner and city council member Jen Fox. “I think this means the world to downtown businesses, retail and restaurants alike. The turnout this year just shows that the DBA has been working year after year for over 10 years to make this a success. The Holiday Hoopla and the Small Business Saturday is just a remarkable, astounding accomplishment for the Downtown Business Association and the city of Hastings.”

Tatia Nelson, owner of The Busted Nut Bar and Grill and President of the DBA was relieved that the day went off without a hitch.

“The day was beautiful, there were tons of shoppers, it was a great day for the downtown businesses,” said Nelson. “It was great seeing shoppers and families enjoying the day, the wagon rides and what our downtown has to offer.”

Well done, Hastings, your small businesses asked for your support, and you delivered.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were wandering downtown to pose for pictures with shoppers and families. Even The Claus family likes to support local businesses! Photo by Bruce Karnick

Tom Schiller was back this year carving ice. The sculptures were cut down to one given the temperature was over 50 degrees for most of the day. Photo by Bruce Karnick