Various activities scheduled downtown will culminate in Chelan Summer Social at Campbell’s Resort on Saturday
information released; Elijah Larson photo courtesy of HDCA
Wildfire smoke has made this a hard week for the Lake Chelan Valley, but downtown Chelan is still open and welcoming visitors. This week, a number of downtown businesses are setting aside space in their locations to simply to give people somewhere clean, indoors, and welcoming to gather, without expectation of shopping or purchasing anything.
The invitation to the community comes after the Historic Downtown Chelan Association’s (HDCA) and several downtown merchants had multiple conversations of how to show up for their neighbors impacted by smoke and are feeling isolated at home. For the rest of this week, and through the weekend, downtown Chelan merchants have special activities planned for neighbors to stop in, relax, and get out of the smoke. This is a part of a bigger effort organized under HDCA’s ongoing work to keep downtown connected to the community it serves.
“This is what we do for each other when times get hard,” said Aimee Sheridan, Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Chelan Association. “These businesses aren’t opening their doors because they expect a rush of shoppers, they’re doing it because they are good neighbors, and neighbors show up for each other.”
Businesses setting aside space for the community this week include:
- Lake Life & Wine Girl Wines will have live music and a place to relax, Friday, 4–6:30 p.m.
- Honeybee Chelan will have kids’ storytime, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
- Layla’s Bar + Kitchen has board games and cards for ages 21+ (plus a newly installed air filter)
- Chelan Toys & Sweets has coloring station and indoor games
- Marcela’s Cocina Kitchen will have upstairs space set aside with supplies for arts and crafts
- Culinary Apple will have free recipe demos Friday and Saturday starting at noon
Chelan Summer Social: Free event at Campbell’s Resort on Saturday
The activities lead into the main event on Saturday, when HDCA will hold the Chelan Summer Social, a free indoor community gathering at Campbell’s Resort from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The event will include live music with Dan Quigley and BasICally, merchant tables with a chance at prizes, ‘an in the room’ scavenger hunt, local artists, kids activity area, and food and beverages available for purchase at Campbell’s Pub and Veranda.
Colorful KN95 masks sized for adults and kids will also be given out for anyone who wants one.
Dan Quigley
- Saturday, August 8
- 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Campbell’s Resort
BassICally
- Saturday, August 8
- 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Campbell’s Resort
The Chelan Summer Social was made possible by presenting sponsor Campbell’s Resort and media sponsor KOZI Community Radio.
“We didn’t have to think twice,” said Eric Campbell of Campbell’s Resort. “When HDCA came to us about being part of this disaster readiness work, we were glad to contribute by hosting the Chelan Summer Social and supporting this effort that benefits the community.”
The Chelan Summer Social is one piece of HDCA’s Economic Resilience and Disaster Readiness program, a five-track initiative built to help downtown Chelan merchants stay strong through wildfire smoke seasons and strengthen year-round ties between downtown and the people who live in the Lake Chelan Valley. Besides the pop-up indoor event, the program also includes digital marketing support for local businesses, a locals-first “Love Where You Live” campaign, coordinated smoke-event messaging with the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce, and ChelanShops.com, a directory that connects residents and visitors to downtown businesses online. Ten downtown merchants are currently part of the program’s first cohort.
Full details and updates on the Chelan Summer Social are posted at www.historicchelan.org/chelansummersocial. Those unable to make it downtown but wanting to support local businesses can find links to several at www.chelanshops.com.
HDCA also thanked local firefighters and first responders working to protect the community. “What they do to protect our community is seen and appreciated.” said Sheridan, “I’m not sure there are words to thank them enough.”
Current downtown conditions can be checked with links to official resources at historicchelan.org
About the HDCA:
Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA) is committed to a welcoming, inclusive, clean, safe, and active downtown. HDCA believes the heart of a small town is a vibrant downtown, and works to support local small businesses in the downtown commercial district while preserving the legacy and tradition of Chelan’s historic core. Through promotion, design, economic development, and outreach, HDCA honors Chelan’s rich history and strengthens downtown places and experiences for everyone who lives, works, or visits here.
