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Contest: Love up Your Favourite Local Business and Win!

Prizes include Whistler and Tofino getaways, local biz shopping sprees, circus classes (yes, really!) and much more.

Michelle Hoar 27 Nov 2014TheTyee.ca

Michelle Hoar is the director of publishing and advertising for The Tyee.

B.C.'s third annual Buy Local Week is coming up (Dec. 1 to 7) and we'd like to invite you to pen a greeting card to your favourite local independent business.

What's in it for you? A chance at 11 great prizes worth over $4,000 (more info below), plus the great fuzzy feeling you get from sharing the love.

ENTER NOW! It only takes a minute to write a quick card to your favourite local business (or social enterprise, co-op, you get the drift).

When you're done, you can use the handy Facebook and Twitter tools to share it. Tip: you can actually write up to five cards, for five entries into the contest. So don't stress out about deciding what your single favourite business is -- you can spread the love wider.

Our contest partners

We're joined again by our contest partners Vancity and LOCO, both of whom share The Tyee's conviction that locally owned enterprises, from the smallest mom-and-pop to larger players, are the engines of a resilient, robust economy and the building blocks of interesting, unique neighbourhoods.

The prizes

582px version of Vancity VISA

This $500 Vancity Visa gift card can be used anywhere that accepts Visa electronically. But of course, being the enlightened person that you are, you'll surely use it at locally owned businesses, right? Learn more.

582px version of Localty voucher

This $250 set of Localty vouchers can be used at over 120 independent businesses participating in Vancity's free web tool for discovering and supporting local. Learn more.

582px version of Whistler

This incredible $1,000 Whistler getaway for two includes two nights at the Summit Lodge, a Ziptrek Eagle Tour, vouchers for a 90-minute float at West Coast Float, a Vibrant Health Package certificate for the Green Moustache Juice, Smoothie + Live Food Bar, and a gift basket filled with local products and gift certificates. Learn more.

582px version of Burnaby Heights

Experience the many local merchants of Burnaby Heights, like Adele-Rae Florist, Cioffi's Meat Market & Deli, Glenburn Soda Fountain and more in this $1,000 Heights Shopping Spree. Learn more.

582px version of Red Cat records prizes

Jumpstart your way to being a vinyl aficionado with this Red Cat Records prize: a new audio-technica turntable, a $100 gift certificate, Red Cat T-shirt and tote, and carbon fibre brush. ($300+ value.) Learn more.

582px version of Circus school

Explore New Westminster's River Market, a 72,000 square-foot marketplace for the hungry and curious along the Mighty Fraser. This fun prize includes a session at the state of the art Vancouver Circus School (try your hand at some trampoline, trapeze, and aerial skills), a food crawl passport to allow your family to sample signature dishes from some of the market's award-winning restaurants, and a basket of goodies from Donald's Market. ($300 value.) Learn more.

582px version of Tofino

Enjoy two nights (for two) on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, courtesy of Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and Middle Beach Resort. ($260 value.) Learn more.

582px version of Compilation of local store logos

From Lala's, locally owned, operated and loved in both Deep Cove and on Vancouver's Commercial Street: a collection of Thymes Frasier Fir local candles and scents. ($150 value.) Learn more.

From Salt Spring Coffee, a three month coffee subscription! Every two weeks, Salt Spring Coffee will deliver you a bag of fresh, in season organic coffee that is Fair to Farmers, plus a 14 oz stainless steel tumbler. ($110 value.) Learn more.

From SPUD, a luxurious basket filled with delectable local, organic and award-winning nibbles and sweets. Learn more.

From Western Front, this 'welcome prize' includes an annual Household Membership, a selection of limited edition tea towels designed by Vancouver-based artists Jeff Hamada, Sylvain Sailly and Arvo Leo, and Whispered Art History, a recounting of the first 20 years of the Western Front. ($125 value.) Learn more.

This is not a writing contest

We aren't picking winners based on the writing quality in your card. So don't be intimidated that your submission will go online for all to see. You can make it anonymous if you wish, and even if it's just two sincere sentences, your chances are as good as those who compose a sonnet to their local butcher.

Also, think big about what constitutes a "business."

It doesn't just have to be where you get your groceries, your clothes, your dinner out, you holiday gifts -- though we want to hear about those too.

With the holiday season approaching, think of the places that make the season special for you. Maybe it's a winter farmers' market where you stock up on special local food items that transform a special gathering, or an annual craft fair you'd never dream of missing. A destination spot where you spend quality time with your loved ones every year? A theatre company whose productions are a part of your holiday ritual? Sky's the limit -- get writing!

Contest ends midnight Monday Dec. 10, 2014.

Have fun! And in advance, have a happy Buy Local Week, and a great holiday season, from The Tyee.

Keep scrolling to see some of the cards we've pulled from businesses that got more than two entries in the first week for inspiration. Or go here to browse through all the cards so far (over 800 in the first seven days alone).

582px version of Love your local business contest
582px version of Love your local business contest
582px version of Love your local business contest
582px version of Love your local business contest
582px version of Love your local business contest
582px version of Love your local business contest

This article is part of a Tyee Presents initiative. Tyee Presents is the special sponsored content section within The Tyee where we highlight contests, events and other initiatives that are either put on by us or by our select partners. The Tyee does not and cannot vouch for or endorse products advertised on The Tyee. We choose our partners carefully and consciously, to fit with The Tyee’s reputation as B.C.’s Home for News, Culture and Solutions. Learn more about Tyee Presents here.

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