Portland to celebrate inaugural '207 Day' with citywide scavenger hunt
FILE photo / Tim Greenway
Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, said more than 90 businesses will participate in the inaugural "207 Day" event.
Taking a cue from other cities nationwide, Portland will use Maine's iconic area code as an inspiration to help downtown stores and local businesses during the normally slow, dark days of winter.
Much like how Milwaukee, Wis. turned its 414 area code into “Milwaukee Day” on April 14 and how Chicago celebrates March 12 each year, Feb. 7 — think 2/07 — will mark 207 Day in Portland and jumpstart a local celebration.
“January and February can be slow months. We’re always trying to see how we can help our downtown businesses, our independent retailers, and bars and restaurants. And 207 is iconic here. Why not celebrate that and make 207 a day to be Mainers and get outside in the cold and support local businesses?” Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, told Mainebiz.
Portland Downtown and Portland Buy Local launched the event to celebrate “what makes Portland, Portland,” which includes 93 business participants, Tyson said.
A citywide scavenger hunt, calling on locals and visitors to explore and interact with the city and its businesses, will kick off what is hoped to become an annual event. The scavenger hunt will be active from Saturday to Monday, 207 Day.
Participants of this free event will make their way around the city to scan QR codes, snap photos of various Portland landmarks, shop at city storefronts, and more to complete scavenger hunt tasks. Players who complete enough tasks will be entered into a raffle for prizes.
“Our inaugural 207 Day is a chance for us to celebrate all things Maine. We’ll offer some fun and creative ways to explore, unique opportunities to engage with our rich history and offers from some of your favorite downtown shops,” Tyson said. “This is only the beginning.”
Local businesses were invited to participate in the 207-themed fun with unique promotions. Gelato Fiasco, for example, is offering a discount of 20.7% off an order of two or seven flavors. The Frying Dutchman, meanwhile, has a promotion on Zonder Fries to get two for $7 — an order that normally costs $18. Other promotions are free and require scavenger hunt participants to scan QR codes, take photos or tag a store on social media.
Said Portland Buy Local Executive Director Mary Alice Scott, “207 Day is the perfect way to celebrate local entrepreneurs in what is often a slower season. We can’t wait to see how businesses participate and how the community responds."
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