Small Businesses Celebrate 24th Annual Women's Weekend Out

DECORAH — Decorah's small businesses are celebrating the start of spring with the 24th annual Women's Weekend Out event. The event will run April 10-12. This is a great weekend for both residents and visitors to enjoy all Decorah has to offer, especially in the downtown district and area shops. "This event was created specifically to support small retail businesses at the start of spring," said Jessica Rilling, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. "The event committee works hard to cultivate a fun and dynamic weekend. It's the perfect time to shop and dine your way across town because new spring product lines are out, stores are hosting special guests, and treats and drinks are everywhere. Our small business owners know how to host a fun time. It's also a great reminder that we vote with our dollars. If you love a vibrant and active downtown, you can choose to support it." More than 50 stores have joined together for this year's Women's Weekend Out to create an experience-based shopping and dining weekend in Decorah. In addition to in-store specials and pop-up collaborations, events include a Women's Weekend Out trivia night at Impact Coffee on Thursday evening; build-your-own spa basket and sugar scrub classes with KD Refillery starting Friday; live music at Pulpit Rock Brewing on Friday night; a DJ brunch Saturday morning at Impact Coffee; a Sip and Paint event with ArtHaus; brunch at Dixie's Biergarten; a cocktail tasting at Rubaiyat; aura photography with Magic Morpho; a comedy show at T-Bocks Sports Bar and Grill; a craft and vendor show at the fairgrounds; a Pieceful Puzzling gathering at The Landing Market; tarot card readings at The Hay Market; and a themed murder mystery dinner at Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. New this year, the Women's Weekend Out Committee has organized two events for participating locations. Friday night will feature a Sip and Shop event from 5 to 7 p.m. Many downtown shops will welcome visitors to browse and enjoy complimentary beverages Friday evening. On Saturday, the committee invites visitors to interact with the Live Windows event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participating locations will fill shop windows with models, music and unexpected surprises. The Women's Weekend Out event is supported by the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce. For individual store hours or specific event tickets, visitors should contact businesses directly. To purchase an optional WWO swag bag with unique gifts from Decorah's shops ($10 each, 250 available) and to see the full list of participating locations and events, visit www.decorahareachamber.com