The
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce announced last Wednesday that promotional
plans call for making the city of Jefferson your "Xmas Headquarters"
this year. In what is believed to be their most ambitious project of
this nature ever, officials hope to create an atmosphere in which
"Jefferson" and "Xmas" will be closely associated to shoppers and
tourists.Although all plans have not been finalized, Jefferson Iowa News has noticed the following actions have apparently already been implemented:
1. Xmas Bargain Days has been announced and will continue from now through Xmas, involving downtown merchants.
2. Lincolnway has been renamed, at least locally, as "Xmas Avenue".
3. The JSHS - Ballard (Huxley) boys basketball game is being promoted as the "Xmas Bowl".
4. Jefferson has officially changed its name to "Xmas, USA" through December.
5. All sales clerks in retail stores throughout town have begun greeting all customers with the phrase, "Merry Xmas!"
6. The Bee and Herald is planning on a special Xmas edition to be published next week.
7. Bumper stickers are being placed on cars parked around the square which state "Happy Xmas from Jefferson, Iowa!"
8. A huge billboard just west of Grand Junction on Highway 30 also announces, "Happy Xmas from everyone in Jefferson, Iowa!"
Still more promotional events are being planned.
Rick Bland, contributor