Celebrating Local Businesses at Local First’s Annual Noel Night
Local First La Plata County (CO) is thrilled to host Durango’s beloved Noel Night on Friday, December 6, from 10 AM to 10 PM. First Southwest Bank presents this community-wide celebration that marks the official start of the holiday shopping season, encouraging residents and visitors alike to shop, eat, and love local.
Join friends, family, and neighbors for a day filled with festive cheer, exploring events hosted by local retailers and restaurants. Enjoy special offers, live music, photos with Santa, s’mores, and more! There will also be gift-wrapping stations and a Makers Market hosted by Local First.
“This annual event highlights our vibrant local businesses and reinforces the importance of shopping locally,” said Doug McCarthy, Local First CEO. “Noel Night is a reminder that together, we can uplift our community, especially during the most wonderful time of the year.”
Noel Night History
Noel Night has a rich history; since its inception in 2002, it has served as a rallying point for our community following the Missionary Ridge Fire. The event was born out of a desire to support our local businesses during a challenging time, and it has since grown into one of the biggest shopping days of the year, significantly impacting our local economy and fostering a sense of community spirit.
“Noel Night is an amazing showcase and celebration of local businesses in Durango. As a CDFI bank focused on promoting economic growth and supporting small businesses, we are proud to sponsor this great community event,” said Kent Curtis, President and CEO of First Southwest Bank.
Local First strives to make every aspect of this event local. Hiring gaiacreative, a locally owned, woman-led design firm, to create this year’s Noel Night poster and partnering with local businesses such as Love DGO Gift Boxes, Studio 451 Jewelry, Moon Beam Art and Design, FuZioN Permanent Jewelry, and more for its Makers Market, keeps to the organization’s mission to think local, first!
Noel Night is hosted by Local First and made possible through partnerships with the Durango Business Improvement District, Main Avenue businesses, The Durango Herald, and generous sponsors, including First Southwest Bank, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, Durango Sustainable Goods & Laura’s Artisan, Tafoya Barrett & Associates, April’s Garden, Tailwind Nutrition, and many more.
Local First encourages participants to celebrate responsibly and to make Noel Night a low-waste event by using compostable and reusable items whenever possible. For more information about Noel Night, visit www.local-first.org or follow Local First on Facebook and Instagram.
About Local First: Local First is dedicated to building an economy that values people, the planet, and prosperity by supporting and promoting locally owned independent businesses, fostering community engagement, and celebrating the unique character of La Plata County. Through events like Noel Night, Local First aims to strengthen the local economy and bring people together to appreciate the abundance and diversity of our region.
About First Southwest Bank: First Southwest Bank (FSWB) is a locally owned, independent community bank and one of two Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) banks in Colorado offering personal and business banking and agricultural and small business loans. FSWB puts customer dollars to work to improve the social and economic landscape of Southern and rural Colorado. With its non-profit partner, the First Southwest Community Fund, FSWB ensures its region’s entrepreneurs, small businesses, and not-for-profit organizations have access to the inclusive and equitable capital they need to grow and enrich our communities. More information is available at fswb.bank.