Eureka city staff and community partners outlined a coordinated slate of holiday‑season marketing and events on Nov. 4 designed to boost local businesses and give residents a single place to find city holiday activities.

Rosa Dixon of Humboldt Made described Choose Humboldt, an 18‑month digital passport program launching Nov. 14 in Eureka on the VibeMaps app. Users will ‘‘check in’’ at participating businesses, award ‘vibes’ and earn badges and prize‑entry opportunities; the program covers three phases (shop local in Nov–Dec, ‘dine and stay’ in Jan–Feb, and experience Humboldt May–Oct). Dixon said participation costs nothing for businesses and that the campaign will be promoted through posters, social media, coasters, shelf‑talkers and event outreach.

Ali Jones, representing the Eureka Mayor’s Coalition, outlined a complementary Eureka‑focused campaign with a centralized landing page and shared calendar (visit eureka.com/holiday) that will list event submissions from businesses, nonprofits and faith groups. Jones introduced three campaign mascots designed by a local artist and said the site will include a business toolkit and downloadable marketing materials for participating organizations.

Amanda Kruschke of Eureka Main Street reviewed event programming in Old Town: a holiday open house on Nov. 14 (5–8 p.m.) with late‑night shopping, music, food trucks, a toy drive and a holiday shopping‑spree drawing; Santa’s arrival by Humboldt Bay Fire truck the day after Thanksgiving; a Small Business Saturday snowball drop on Nov. 29; and Tuba Christmas on Dec. 6. Kruschke said more than 20 businesses will participate in the Nov. 14 kickoff and that Choose Humboldt will be on site handing out bags.

Madison Green described the Home for the Holidays decorating contest: registration opens Nov. 10 and closes Dec. 7; public voting will follow; winners announced at the Jan. 6 council meeting; and the city will offer a free shuttle tour of participating decorated homes in December with departures from the California Welcome Center.

Why it matters

Organizers said the multi‑partner approach reduces the marketing burden on individual small businesses and is meant to keep holiday dollars in the local economy during both the busy and shoulder months. The program combines tourism outreach with locally targeted promotions and volunteer opportunities.

Speakers and events (selected)

- Rosa Dixon, Humboldt Made (Choose Humboldt launch: Nov. 14).
- Ali Jones, Eureka Mayor’s Coalition (eureka.com/holiday calendar).
- Amanda Kruschke, Eureka Main Street (Old Town open house, Nov. 14; Santa’s arrival Nov. 28; Tuba Christmas Dec. 6).
- Madison Green (Home for the Holidays decorating contest; shuttle viewing; registration Nov. 10–Dec. 7).

Provenance

- Topic start: Asbury announced holiday initiatives and introduced Rosa Dixon (00:10:27) [block_48].
- Topic finish: Staff closed the holiday presentations and transitioned to the next agenda item (approx. 01:00:00) [block_103].