Special holiday events set Downtown

The Dane County Buy Local Initiative is hosting a pre-holiday, kick-off event � beginning at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 17 at Johnny Delmonico's, 130 S. Pinckney St. � to promote the importance of and opportunities for "buying locally" during the busiest shopping season of the year.

The event is being coordinated with upcoming activities sponsored by Downtown Madison Inc. because of the increasing number of independently owned restaurants and shops located on and just off the Capitol Square and State Street.

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Events planned will let the "personality of the Downtown show through," said Kris Grutzner, vice president of DMI and manager of the Downtown Business Improvement District.

During business hours on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, free trolley service will transport shoppers up and down State Street and around the Square. There will be carolers on the street and many establishments will serve free hot cider and hot chocolate. Also, gift cards, redeemable at a variety of independent restaurants and shops, will be available for purchase at participating businesses.