The Jingle and Mingle food drive event in downtown Ferndale was such a success last year it is returning next month with expanded shopping and entertainment.
Michael Lary, director of city special events, said Ferndale partners with the Downtown Development Authority to bring more attention to the effort.
“Last year the main motivation was the food drive,” Lary said. “It was more successful than I imagined and the goal now is to do it better.”
After last year’s effort was completed it took a full day for volunteers to unload all the nonperishable food items that had been donated to benefit the Renaissance Vineyard Church’s Food Pantry at 1841 Pinecrest Dr.
The upcoming event is 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday Nov. 18 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 19.
DJs, live performances and a holiday market will be featured in the dot parking deck’s subterranean level at Allen and Troy streets.
The goal is to get people to stop by while they are shopping and dining downtown.
“We’ve integrated a holiday market with 80 vendors in the lower level of the parking deck,” Larry said, adding that Integrity Shows, which produces the annual Funky Ferndale art fair, is helping out and producing the underground market.
The Ferndale Underground Holiday Market will feature a variety of fashion and gift items
Everyone is encouraged to bring dried or canned foods, soups, jars of peanut butter and jelly, rice dishes and similar items to donate. Monetary donations are also encouraged.
Attendees can also enjoy alcohol drinks from participating Patio Zone social district businesses as they walk around downtown.
“I think the community aspect of Jingle and Mingle, and getting people in the holiday spirit is great,” said Jennie Beeker, executive director of the city DDA. “With the Ferndale Underground this year we are activating a new space for folks at the dot, it’s something a little bit different for Ferndale.”
She said the event and the new use of the dot will bring interest and foot traffic to nearby downtown businesses.
Lary was the originator in getting Jingle and Mingle off the ground last year.
“It was realizing we have people in our community who need help and support,” he said.