More than 25 businesses will open their doors for complimentary cookie tastings, Saturday, November 22 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Downtown Davenport is poised to get a lot jollier over the next few weeks.

This weekend, the seasonal hustle and bustle begins with our Deck the Downtowns celebration - one sprinkled with small businesses, local artists and festive community fun.

And what better way to get into the spirit than shopping small and snacking big? Right after the Quad City Arts’ Festival of Trees Parade on Saturday, November 22, the Downtown Davenport Partnership presents its second annual Cookie Crawl from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 25 downtown businesses will open their doors with complimentary cookie tastings from local favorites like The Half Nelson, 392Caffe, Cookies & Dreams, and Small Town Pastry.  

As visitors munch on tasty treats, they’re invited to explore Downtown Davenport’s shops, check out exclusive deals and enjoy pop-up holiday activities and music. Cookie Crawlers who make five purchases from a downtown business are entered into a grand prize giveaway, making the event not only a sweet holiday tradition, but also a boost for the downtown retailers, restaurants and bars.

“The holidays are great for Downtown Davenport,” said Jane Magers of Major Art and Hobby. “We definitely see a big uptick in traffic after the parade since it goes right in front of our shop. It's great to see some of our regular customers bring their families down for these events, so we get to meet the whole family and put some faces with the names we hear about.”

She said that because of the Cookie Crawl, the store has “more people for longer periods of time.” Major Art and Hobby will have a few extra specials during the event, including 20% off regular-priced white-tagged merchandise and an extra 10% off Bandai/Gundam plastic model kits.

While the Cookie Crawl is fun for families and kids, there are some fun stops for the grown-ups, too.

“These events add an extra ‘jolly’ vibe to the downtown,” said Maggie Pappas, General Manager, Raccoon Motel. “We know the holiday season is kicking off when the holiday pickle is hung! We aim to be a good, welcoming space for all kinds of kinds, and the Motel gets to shine when ‘strangers’ walk through. I think these events give Downtown businesses the chance to show off what they have to offer,” she said. Pappas mentioned that the Raccoon Motel will be offering all-day drink specials as visitors walk around collecting stamps and cookies. In addition, the Motel will be hosting the NAMI: Life is Beautiful fundraiser, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and music at 6 p.m.

Other festive holiday happenings beginning this weekend and concluding on January 1, include the Holiday  Display Challenge and the popular Pickle Ornament Hunt.

Downtown Davenport retailers join more than 70 businesses across each downtown in transforming their storefronts into festive displays with original artwork by 20 local artists, adding creativity and color to the holiday atmosphere.

And, the beloved German tradition of the Pickle Ornament Hunt returns for another year. 30+ participating businesses across Downtown Davenport are hiding pickles, so keep your eyes peeled! Find 10 pickles to win a pickle ornament for your own tree and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win downtown gift cards and a Grand Prize Basket.

“Deck the Downtowns is one of our favorite ways to spark that holiday magic downtown,” said Haley Moore, Marketing & Placemaking Manager for the Downtown Davenport Partnership. “It brings people into spaces they may not usually visit and gives our small, locally owned businesses a meaningful lift heading into the season. Every cookie stop, pickle find or quick purchase makes a real impact here where your dollars stay in our community and fuel the businesses that make downtown what it is.”

Finding interesting new spaces in downtown, frequenting the familiar favorites and making holiday memories is what it’s all about.

 “As a life-long QC resident, holidays in the QC are nostalgic and Downtown Davenport Partnership and the Chamber keep that spirit alive, giving young families an opportunity to create their own traditions like searching for the holiday pickle, seeing the holiday train or participating in the cookie crawl,” added Pappas.

Shout out to these Deck the Downtowns sponsors!

• Presenting Sponsor: GreenState Credit Union
• Print Sponsor: Stecker Graphics
• Pickle Hunt Sponsor: T-Fiber

Deck the Downtowns is a joint promotion between Downtown Bettendorf Organization,  Downtown Davenport Partnership and Rock Island Downtown Alliance.