AFTER the success of the two previous events, Casterton’s Shopping Frenzy is on again, with doors open until late, next Friday, 18 November.

Attracting visitors from near and far - including one shopper who travelled from Geelong last year, just for Frenzy night! - 16 businesses - both retail and hospitality - will open their doors until at least 8.30pm, offering a once-a -year, after-hours, pre-Christmas ‘shopping party’.

“It’s a fantastic night out, with all businesses getting in on the fun of holding giveaways and having amazing discounts,” trader Vikki O’Brien said.

“There will be three fantastic hamper prizes drawn at the end of the night all donated by participating businesses, which all shoppers will have the chance to enter numerous times.

“Our street and our amazing shops really are the envy of a lot of other larger towns and with the addition of the beautiful fairy lights in the trees, late night Christmas shopping this year has just got more festive.”

And while the former shopping spree event was aimed more at the girls, frenzy night is for the whole family, with two previous, highly successful events seeing mums, dads and kids all checking out the bargains to be had.

“The beauty of this after-hours event, is that there is a great range of shops open with options for the boys, the girls and the kids, as well as places to get the family dinner or grab a snack on the run,” Mrs O’Brien said.

“And being after hours, everyone that normally works during ‘office hours’ and doesn’t have the chance to casually browse what the town has to offer, can take their time and do some shopping.”

Mrs O’Brien encouraged everyone to take the opportunity to ‘Look Local’ when making their
Christmas lists.

“The variety in what our local businesses offer often surprises visitors and tourists to the town and as I always say, as a whole, Casterton really does ‘punch above its weight’,” she said.

“We understand that some items can’t be sourced in Casterton, but we encourage all locals to get out and have a look at the amazing businesses in town because what you find will most definitely surprise you.

“The types of products and brand names are all what you will get in the cities and often for the same price, so really it makes sense to shop local and support local.”

She said the event was also an opportunity to thank the local business houses who pre-, during and post-Covid, showed unwavering support to the community.

“These businesses are the first ones to sponsor your friends and family’s sport, local shows and community groups in the town,” she said.

“They also employ your children and grandchildren, friends and family.

“So please, this Christmas, Look Local First.”