The Echuca Moama Rotary Club held its annual Shop Local Night on Thursday, November 14.
The event drew over 100 shoppers looking to knock some items off their Christmas lists, with the added bonus of discounts and prizes to be won.
Rotary secretary Kate Fisher said the event’s figures were yet to be finalised but all proceeds would be donated to a local charity or group.
“We did our raffle on the night and we gave away 18 prizes from all our participating stores, which raised around $670,” she said.
“That will go to a local organisation, which we are yet to work out, but we always make sure that any proceeds go to a local charity or group.
“In the past, we have donated proceeds to the Rockets all-abilities football club, Echuca Neighbourhood House and some flood recovery charities.”
This year was the biggest Shop Local Night since the event’s inception, with 15 businesses taking part under a new format.
Originally, only a few shops were able to take part and participants would be grouped and given a time frame to complete their shopping.
This year, more businesses could benefit from the event and shoppers were free to wander between stores at their own pace from 5.45pm until 9pm.
Each store offered either special discounts for participants or free gifts depending on how much they spent.
Participating stores included Annabella, Bar Lee @ Echuca Distillery, Candle Scents, Collins Booksellers, Echuca Camping, Echuca Chocolate Co, Echuca Heritage Sweet Co, Fashionably High, Good Ole Country Gifts, I Want I Need, JACS, Mad Hatter Tea Shop, Port of Echuca Store, PS Pevensey, Read Heeler, Revive and Rich Glen Olive Estate.