Leader Chamber Of Commerce Keeping Busy
By Jordan Parker
As summer dawns upon us, the Leader & District Chamber of Commerce is planning a summer chock-full of area events.
Behind all the hustle & bustle is recent hire Lee Elsasser, who has a vision for what she’d love Leader to be and represent.
“Things are going great. We have a lot coming up, and it’ll be a truly fun month,” she said.
“We have our Sidewalk Sale June 5-10. On June 6th, Sandhills Insurance has an event, and on June 7th, the Sandhills Credit Union will have a BBQ. Then on June 10th is our community garage sale. That evening will then be our marketplace kick-off.”
The Sidewalk Sales will see in-store specials at over ten businesses, including Pattison AG, Squirrelly Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Red River Trading Antique, and more. Sandhills Insurance has cookies, treats, and an in-office draw for prized, and the 7th will see the big BBQ for the community by the Credit Union.
“On June 10th, we have a Kick-Off Party at the Sandhills Credit Union Marketplace. We’ll have supper, you can bring a lawn chair, and we’ll have a live band, too,” she said.
The garage sale – an annual event – is brought to the community by Leader Tourism, and maps can be picked up at the Leader Tourist Booth. June 12th will feature a partnership with the Leader Liquor Market and the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre for an intro to golf at the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre.
“There will be equipment and snacks provided. We want to do something like that every month. We want to get newcomers out and meeting people,” she said.
The Sandhills Marketplace’s official starting date is June 22nd and it will go every Thursday until September. There will also be Entrepreneur Markets coming. Finally, there will be an Art Night on September 4th, 2023.
“Artists from our area and an amazing local group called The Pumpkin Growers will be on-hand. This will be a great event too. I have lots of big ideas for this event, and I’m getting them ironed out,” she said.
She was hired as the Chamber Development Officer last year and wants people to come to Leader.
“I just want people to feel welcome. I want new businesses to come here, and I want current businesses to thrive and be happy,” she said.
Meant to promote businesses, tourism and trade in the area, she wants the area to remain “vibrant.”
“We want people from here to come out and to attract newcomers. That’s of the utmost importance. I want people to love living here and people who come here to want to come,” she said.
“We just started another initiative with Welcome Basket Bags, and I already have new people on the list who’ve come here. We are seeing growth, and I’m happy about that.”
She’s happy to see what the community is doing as a group in Leader.
“I love the connections people have in small communities. We come together and support each other. Seeing people come together is the biggest reward. People love this town, and that feels good,” she said.
“I am getting really positive feedback about what we’re working toward. People and businesses are loving it, and our market days provide busier bustle and encourage businesses to try things out.”
She says people can expect big things this summer from the Chamber.
“I’m hoping these activities bring people out. Sidewalk Sales did well last year, and our Markets are busy. I want to get the word out to surrounding communities, and I want everyone to come together this summer,” she said.
“We’re still looking at ideas and things in the future. We are always open to ideas, and I’m excited about what’s coming.”
To learn more about everything happening in Leader, visit https://www.facebook.com/LeaderAndDistrictChamber.