While Independence Day is a time to celebrate our freedom, Independents Week is a time to reflect on our connectedness. Monadnock Buy Local and other local business alliances throughout the nation are celebrating the positive connections between locally owned and independent businesses, the health and wealth of our communities and you.
Independents Week is a time to reflect on your ability to think and act independently and embrace your part in shaping the future of the Monadnock Region. “Changing the way our economy operates starts with a single person,” states Michelle Long from the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. “It starts with you.”
Please take some time next week to acknowledge the independent business owners you know. Thank them for their spirit of entrepreneurism, individuality and character; the way they give back to our community with their time, talent, goods and services; and how their offerings fulfill your needs.
Another way to celebrate Independents Week is to take the “Indie Challenge.” Try making all of your purchases at locally owned businesses from July 1st to July 7th. Sign on to the Indie Challenge today at monadnocklocal.org/indieweek. Keep us posted on how it’s going. Please email us at monadnockbuylocal@gmail.com.
If you get stumped, use our 3,296 Facebook Fans (and your friends and neighbors) to help you brainstorm possibilities at facebook.com/monadnockbuylocal.
Another great resource for finding what you need is our online directory, listing 352 locally owned businesses in the Monadnock Region. You can search by business type, town or keywords to find what you’re looking for at monadnocklocal.org/Directory.
Traveling during Independents Week? Enjoy what locally owned businesses have to offer wherever you’re at. Ask locals where their favorites are and look for networks like Monadnock Buy Local in the areas you’re visiting at amiba.net/about_ibas/find-iba.
Hannah Grimes Marketplace in Keene is celebrating Independents Week by offering their customers double rewards for purchases made July 1st – 7th. They’re also raffling off a Tim Campbell print of New Hampshire: hannahgrimesmarketplace.com.
Another fun way to celebrate Independents Week is to participate in local events sponsored by our locally owned businesses and community organizations. Here’s a sample of the many great activities happening around the Monadnock Region during Independents Week -- get out there and celebrate our Independents!
Start off your week at the Fitzwilliam Inn. On July 1st, “The Town Meeting,” an indie folk band, will perform. Cover is $7. Please make your reservation early! fitzwilliaminn.com.
On July 2nd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Farmers’ Market of Keene on Gilbo Avenue hosts singer-songwriter Tad Dreis. Enjoy the music while shopping for vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat, eggs, preserves, wines, maple and other locally made products: farmersmarketofkeene.com.
The Keene Swamp Bats offer fireworks at their game against the Valley Blue Sox at the Alumni Field in Keene on July 3rd. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. and the fireworks show follows: swampbats.com.
The Monadnock Center for History and Culture in Peterborough hosts an Independence Day Ceremony starting at 10 a.m. on the 4th of July. The event features a reading of the Declaration of Independence: monadnockcenter.org
It’s Jaffrey Community Farmers Market’s Opening Day on July 6th, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Come for the locally grown and made delights and stay for the live music with “The Installers” starting at 7 p.m. at the Gazebo in Downtown Jaffrey: teamjaffrey.org.
End Independents Week at the Walpole Valley Farms’ Free Family Movie Night at The Barn. The July 7th movie is " My Neighbor Totoro.” Food will be for sale 5 – 7 p.m., including the farm’s delectable grass-fed burgers. Games at 5 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. Bring chairs, blankets and pillows. Held rain or shine: walpolevalleyfarms.com.
“Independents Week is a time to reflect on the importance of economic democracy and community self-determination by celebrating the nation’s locally owned independent businesses and the stake each citizen has in shaping their hometown’s future,” said Jennifer Rockne, from the American Independent Business Alliance.
This year, celebrate your independence and our independents together!
The Local Crowd Monadnock - Keene, NH
