Holiday shoppers in southern Illinois have an extra incentive to do their gift-buying in the region this year.
Beginning on Oct. 20, area chambers of commerces and a Main Street program will give away weekly prizes to customers who use social media while shopping at participating businesses through the “Shop Southern Illinois” promotion.
Using the hashtag #IBuySI on a tweet @ShopSouthernIL or post on the group's Facebook page will enter buyers into drawing for packages worth at least $100.
The giveaway schedule is as follows: Main Street Golconda, Oct. 20; Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce, Oct. 27; Union County Chamber of Commerce, Nov. 10; Saline County Chamber of Commerce, Nov. 17; Perry County chambers: Pinckneyville and DuQuoin, Nov. 24; Williamson County chambers: Carterville, Herrin and Marion, Dec. 1; Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Dec. 8; Franklin County chambers: Benton/West City and West Frankfort, Dec. 15; and Jackson County chambers: Carbondale and Murphysboro.
The grand prize will be given away Dec. 29.
While there is no limit to the number of times a customer can enter a drawing, entrants can only win once. Winners will receive notification through the Facebook and Twitter accounts for Shop Southern Illinois; they will have two weeks to claim their prizes.
Businesses can show their participation in the promotion by displaying a decal, which can be obtained by emailing director@marionillinois.com. Fliers explaining the promotion are at ChamberOrganizer.com.
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