Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase at Alerus

The Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase today and Sunday in the Alerus Center in Grand Forks offers Christmas shoppers something they won’t find just anywhere: Hundreds of items from soup to nuts and beyond, all products of North Dakota, all in one place.

“They can get their shopping done and support their fellow north Dakotans,” said Sarah Kelsch, marketing specialist with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture in Bismarck, who will be in Grand Forks this weekend for Pride of Dakota.

The event typically draws crowds of shoppers looking for products to enliven their holi-days and to give as gifts. Hours today will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday hours will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $2 for adults, which (while supplies last) will include a reusable shopping bag, sponsored by Bank of North Dakota and Great River Energy. Shoppers who bring their own reusable bag will be charged $1. Parking will be free for Pride shoppers.

More than 120 booths will line the ballroom/big hall on the north side of the Alerus Center to sell foods and condiments, decorative items, books, jewelry, recordings and more.

Authorized by the Legislature and administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program will celebrate its 25th year in 2010, Kelsch said. It of-fers member companies opportunities to participate in cooperative promotion and market-ing events, representation at local, state, regional, national and international trade shows and educational opportunities.

From fewer than 20 companies, Pride of Dakota has grown to include more than 430 North Dakota businesses. Its holiday showcases are by far its most popular event, Kelsch said. The one in Grand Forks will be followed by similar events Nov. 14-15 in Minot, Nov. 20-22 in Fargo and Dec. 4-6 in Bismarck.

Last year, just a few more than half of the participating businesses from all four showcases reported figures for what they sold at the shows. That tally was more than half a million dollars, Kelsch said.

This year, a new two-day Pride of Dakota Harvest Showcase in Dickinson, N.D., in September drew 3,000 people, she said.

For information on Pride of Dakota membership and projects, log on to www. prideofdakota.nd.gov/.

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Tags: north dakota, pride of dakota, news, showcase