SANDPOINT — As the sun sets ever earlier and cloudy weather blankets the region, the winter can become a tough time for local businesses who depend on local traffic. 

That’s why days like the upcoming “Ladies Night” event are critical, Leilani Williams, executive director of the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association, said. The annual event returns for its eighth year, and will feature giveaways, special games and sales throughout the downtown corridor.

"It’s a way for us to reach our locals and just love on them and say, ‘Thank you for participating with us,’” Williams said. “We're going to give you something to eat and drink. We're also going to give you prizes and show you how much we're appreciative of the local people that come downtown.” 

The event kicks off on Friday at Barrel 33 at 3 p.m., where Williams said the giveaways begin for the first hour, and last until 8 p.m. at locations throughout downtown. Williams said the first large giveaway is two VIP tickets to the Knitting Factory for a concert of the winner’s choosing. 

Over at the Cedar Street Bridge, Jeanette Eder, co-owner of Sunshine on Cedar, said she took it upon herself to bring “ohana” or family to the bridge during the event. Eder said the restaurant will be providing drinks and snacks throughout the bridge to encourage visitors to interact with all 22 businesses. 

The spread that will be available in the bridge will also feature food from Local Yokel, Paneah and Sugartooth, Eder said. Sunshine on Cedar will be offering their spam musubi, potstickers and edamame on the spread as well. 

"Rather than a whole bunch of businesses trying to do their own thing, we are trying to work together to bring something more lively to our community,” Eder said. “I’m trying to push the idea that the bridge is a family to experience, not just Sunshine, but everything we are doing.” 

In addition to the sales at the stores, Eder said there will be two unique games, an I-Spy and a Poker Run, for attendees to win prizes. For the poker run, Eder said shops will hand out cards as visitors make purchases, which they bring to the dealer and see if they’d won. 

Stacey Mueller, Cedar Street Bridge manager, told the Daily Bee previously that this year has been especially rough for the downtown shops. Eder said she hopes this event inspires residents to come back to the bridge to support the local community. 

"There’s a lot of people who haven’t been back to the bridge for years, so I’m really trying to invite them all back,” Eder said. “We’re all ready to see where this synergy will take us, at the end of the year, it’s a perfect time.” 

The event will conclude at the Pend d’Oreille Winery and the 219 Lounge where a drawing will be held at 8 p.m. for a $500 grand prize. To enter the drawing, participants must obtain an event passport at any of the business.  

As a part of the grand prize, winners of the grand prize at each location will also go home with their own wooden bear from Burl Wood Dreams. Williams said nearly every shop has some sort of sale or giveaway planned as a way to give back to the shoppers. 

While the event is called “Ladies Night,” both Eder and Williams said the event is for anyone in the town, even those visiting the area. 

“It’s worth coming out, even if you just want to walk around town,” Eder said. “I think we are all ready for a little fun.” 

Williams said she was working at Art Works Gallery during the first event and that it was tough to get the businesses together. Now that the event has found its footing, Williams said the amount of work pays off when she sees the streets packed with residents going to the local businesses. 

“When I moved here, I said I was going to just retire and be a nana and not really work, just do part time stuff,” Williams said. “When this got brought to me, I didn't think I was going to take on as much as I have in the last few years, but I wouldn't change what I do for a million dollars.”