First annual Holidays on Hennepin a ‘good start’

Mixed results might best describe the first Holidays on Hennepin as it wrapped up its inaugural effort on New Year’s Day.

“The event was a good start, although we have lots of things we want to sharpen up next year,” said Will Stancil, a member of the Hennepin Joint Committee that generated the idea.

Overall, the organization distributed 6,500 holiday passports to 66 Uptown businesses with a goal of encouraging people to shop and eat in the area and to get them stamped to verify they stopped by.

However, December’s cold weather may have affected overall participation.

“The weather was unfortunately as bad as it could be,” Stancil said.

Even so, several sub-zero days didn’t keep people away from some 60 events held, which “were quite well attended,” he said.

Stancil added one goal for next year is to create better digital communication strategies to clear up any confusion about the passports and how to participate.

“We have big plans for next year, including potentially expanding to include Lyndale,” Stancil said. “Uptown generally still needs all the help it can get.”