Merry Swiftmas Brings Thousands of Fans to Downtown Lee’s Summit to Celebrate Taylor’s 35th Birthday
Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street brought the magic of The Eras Tour to Downtown Lee’s Summit with Merry Swiftmas, a star-studded VIP shopping event on Friday, December 13th. It’s been a long time coming, as the maestros behind this epic night founded their organization the same year Taylor Swift was born: 1989. While Taylor was building her reputation as the Queen of Pop, volunteers with DLSMS were busy transforming downtown into a vibrant symphony of over 100 locally-owned businesses. They celebrated their 35th anniversary in style by encouraging the community to show up and support the small businesses in our beloved Downtown.
800 lucky Swifties got their hands on a VIP Backstage Pass to access 13 special attractions and enjoy discounts on shopping & dining at dozens of participating businesses. While the VIP Backstage Passes SOLD OUT in advance, over 7,500 people visited Downtown Lee’s Summit to take in the magic of the twinkling lights, shop, and dine at their favorite restaurants. Event organizers raised funds for their non-profit, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street Inc. Funds support free programming for the community, like the Farmers Market, Fourth Fridays Art Walk, the Mayor’s Tree Lighting, and more.
The event was a win-win-win. “Attendees had a marvelous time, we raised money for our non-profit, and we brought attention to our locally-owned businesses that make Downtown so unique” said Julie Cook, Events & Promotions Director for DLSMS. “I kept thinking ‘none of this was accidental.’ It’s taken years of planning and hard work to enjoy the bustling downtown we know and love today. Events work the same way; we have to collaborate and all give our best so that we all can benefit.”
Business owners got into the Swiftmas spirit by offering themed merchandise and menu items, and 10 shops set up Pop-Up Bars for VIPs to redeem drink tickets. Team Cocktail served up a sparkling Meet Me At Midnight cocktail, while Stuey McBrew’s offered $5 All Too Well Drinks for ticket holders. Embers Candle Bar spun Lover Cotton Candy Clouds to top their pineapple mocktail, Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Spritz. Messner Bee Farm got rave reviews on their Fearless Hot Toddy, which combined their signature honey with bourbon, orange, and mulling spices. Up above Bel Fiore Co, Megan’s Yoga Tribe welcomed hundreds of guests to build their own We Are Never Getting Back to Cheddar charcuterie cone. Special guests Almost Andy Reid and Kelley Thrasher, KC's Taylor Swift doppelganger, surprised attendees with photo opportunities at The TruKC and Anchora Bella Boutique respectively.
Merry Swiftmas was presented by ReeceNichols of Lee’s Summit and sponsored by Macadoodles. Merry Swiftmas is one of nearly 100 community events hosted by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street. To learn more about their mission to revitalize Downtown and see a list of upcoming events, visit downtownls.org
Photos courtesy of @natalieinkc
