#HintonFirst Festival: Go LIVE and Join Us
Here’s your chance to get to know more than 20 local entrepreneurs as FestivalSeekers and Hinton and area partners go live on Facebook for a little retail therapy fun and entertainment. This unique event marks the launch of the #HintonFirst Festival where you’ll get to virtually meet the folks running local businesses.
Join us for a series of Facebook Lives weekly from Feb. 3 to 24, 2021 when Northern Alberta and the world is invited to “tune in” for virtual tours, chats and demonstrations at individual local businesses – where you’ll get to virtually go “behind the scenes” at some of Hinton’s top local shops and hear from local entrepreneurs as they share their stories.
You can RSVP for the festival here. Check out some of these entrepreneurs you will meet and learn more about.
Feb. 3 - 1 p.m. Lekkerwear
Lekkerwear is a specialty custom-designed apparel family-owned business, based in Hinton for 20 years, and run by local Bill McDonald. The pandemic has motivated him to diversify.
“Honestly, it’s (Covid) chilled the business. My business has always been promoting other businesses with staff apparel.
The bulk of his business has been doing custom embroidery, screen printing, including custom sports and business apparel, and selling sports memorabilia, such as autographed jerseys. But since Covid struck, he pivoted to sell hand sanitizer and is now the largest supplier of masks and gators (face coverings), which can also be customized. It’s all done out of his 4,000 square foot space in the Valley Shopping Centre.
“We were the first people in town carrying sanitizer and refills. We totally had to diversify the business. I sit here every day figuring out what I can do.”
He’s looking forward to his Feb. 3 Facebook Live session. “I think it’s just a matter of getting it out there, that I’m here, and telling people all the things we do.”
Feb. 24 – 3 p.m. Dominant Tattoos
The pandemic has been tough on businesses like Hinton’s Dominant Tattoo. Owners husband and wife, Marlie and Darryl Bjerkness, have had to adapt to a series of shutdowns and re-openings over the past year. “We were just allowed to open again on Jan. 14,” said Marlie. Throughout the closures, they’ve managed to sell a few gift cards and do one-on-one consultations online only with future clients. But since reopening again, Marlie says, “Business has been great!”
Marlie, who runs the business while Darryl is the tattoo artist, wants people to know he was born and raised in Hinton. “We are a family-oriented business.”
Be sure to tune in for Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. to see them doing what they love.
The #HintonFirst Festival couldn’t come at a better time, says Scott Kovatch, Hinton’s Economic Development officer. “There is no question, 2020 has forced many in our business community across the region, to innovate and manage some pretty unique situations,” he said.
Tune in
Leave a comment, ask questions, share the video with your Facebook audience! Help support the local economy and share with our friends and family the great experiences they can have next time they visit Hinton.
We'll share these LIVE Facebook broadcasts throughout the day, so tune in often and get ready to get to know your entrepreneurial neighbours.
Have a look at the current schedule of Facebook LIVES for the inaugural #HintonFirst Festival with more to be added:
RSVP today for the #HintonFirst Festival.
Feb. 3
- 11 a.m. – Valley Business District
- 12:30 p.m. – Your Dollar Store With More
- 1 p.m. – Lekkerwear Apparel
- 2 p.m. – King Drug
- 3 p.m. – Fortune House Restaurant
- 4 p.m. – My Slice of Paradise
Feb. 10
- 11 a.m.: BRIDGES Hinton
- 12 p.m.: Athab Steak & Pasta House
- 2 p.m.: McStrong Safety Services
- 4 p.m.: Rojo Marrón
Feb. 17
- 10 a.m.: Basic Beauty Boutique
- 11 a.m. - Pivot Point Weightloss
- 1:15 p.m. – Hinton Optometry
- 2 p.m. - Stitch N Print
- 3 p.m. – Maximum Work Gear
- 4 p.m. – Stor-X
Feb. 24
- 11 a.m. - OK Tire
- 12 p.m. – Athabasca Valley Inn Cheers Lounge
- 2 p.m. – Creative Hair Care
- 3 pm. – Dominant Tattoo
Be sure to tune in every Wednesday through February. RSVP today, and please share the page a share so your friends and family can tune in and shop #HintonFirst.
It’s more important than ever to shop local, and we appreciate you helping us out to give these businesses a much-needed boost with your Facebook love.
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