BELFAST — The Downtown Holiday Passport is back for the fifth holiday season beginning on Friday, November 1 during Our Town Belfast's Sip & Splurge event. Fifty five (55) businesses are participating in the passport program this year, more than 20 are participating in Sip & Splurge.

Pick up a passport at a participating business (while they have supplies). When you make a purchase, have your passport stamped (one stamp per business). When you have a minimum of five (5) stamps, you can turn it in (do not forget to include your name) for a chance to win one of the gift card raffles ranging from $50 to $500! You can turn your completed passport into the designated mailboxes at:

• Our Town Belfast, 82 Main Street

• Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce, 33 Main Street

• The Grasshopper Shop, 105 High Street

• Belfast Fiberarts, 171 High Street

The Passport Program ends on Sunday, December 15, at 9 p.m. Winners will be announced on the OTB website, FB page, and a dedicated newsletter on Tuesday, December 17.

"This is a great program to support your family, friends, and neighbors who have contribute to the vibrancy of our working, year-round downtown by running a small business," said Our Town, in a news release.

Sip & Splurge returns as well for the fourth year. More than 20 businesses will stay open late to welcome shoppers. Purchase tickets now through October 30 for $15 and the day of the event for $20. You will receive a reusable shopping bag and cup for your “sip” (sips may or may not contain alcohol at the discretion of each business). Shoppers can pick up their bags at either Grump & Sunshine Bookshop (159 High Street) or The Grasshopper Shop (105 High Street). Each location will have wine, sparkling wine, and a charcuterie to fuel shoppers up for the evening enjoying downtown Belfast.

Learn more about these and all Our Town Belfast holiday plans at https://ourtownbelfast.org/downtown-for-the-holidays/.

OUR TOWN BELFAST is a community-driven and nationally accredited Main Street organization whose mission is to grow and sustain our historic downtown while celebrating our unique cultural heritage. We believe in supporting local businesses, honoring our heritage through historic preservation, and bringing together the community to make downtown Belfast a better place to live, work and play. Our Town Belfast envisions a vibrant future in which our waterfront, commercial district, treasured historic buildings, and outdoor public spaces are alive with activity.