Flamingos will flock to downtown Columbus for the fifth year on Friday, bringing with them live music, chances for door prizes and deals at participating businesses.
Barbara Bigelow, executive director for Main Street Columbus, said the town should “put on their Hawaiian shirts and sundresses” and come downtown from 5-8 p.m. on Friday to “shop, dine, listen to music and have some fun” at Main Street Columbus’ award-winning event, Let’s Flamingle Downtown.
This flamingo-themed outing allows downtown visitors to stop in at participating businesses, find plastic pink flamingos at each location and enter into a drawing for grand door prizes.
Participating stores will have tiny plastic pink flamingoes hidden throughout. Locate one flamingo in a minimum of seven stores and return your “flock” to the Main Street office at 107 Fifth St. N. to be entered into the drawing for two different grand prizes – a gift card of $500 dollars from your choice of participating merchants or a gift basket, valued at $400, of gift cards and merchandise.
For every $25 spent at participating merchants, Bigelow said shoppers will be given a pink slip they can turn in with their flock of flamingos for additional grand prize entries.
At your first stop, pick up a “baby flamingo” bag to keep your flock together and a list of participating merchants. The list of participating merchants can be found at facebook.com/MainStreetColumbus.
“It’s basically a flamingo scavenger hunt,” Bigelow said. “It is so much fun and each year we see more and more people (downtown), and afterward folks can have dinner at one of our amazing downtown restaurants.”
Bigelow said participants can pick up their bag at Bubble the Day Spa, Cobalt’s Boutique, Coffee House on 5th, Fired Up Studio, Florals on 5th, Friendly City Books, Garett and Co., Mira Mira, The New Princess Theater and the Southern Exchange.
While participants shop, Bigelow said, they can also expect music from musicians performing on the street. They may also spot Fiona the Flamingo, the event’s mascot, roaming the streets.
Midge Maloney will be volunteering to play Fiona for the fourth time. If you spot Maloney in her iconic pink wing and flamingo costume, say hi and take a photo with her, Bigelow said.
In 2023, this event was named “Outstanding New Event” by the Mississippi Main Street Association.
“Flamingle is just a nice opportunity to get out and enjoy downtown Columbus, have some fun shopping, and even win some awesome prizes,” Bigelow said. “We invite everyone to join the fun in downtown Columbus.”
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