Free fashion and fun next weekend

By: 
Leslie Silverman
The 12th annual Girlfriends’ Weekend is making its way to Hill City Nov. 1-3.
The signature November event kicks off with the always-popular free fashion show Friday at 5:30 p.m.
The evening features Hill City merchant fashions where people can see things they’re interested in buying the day after. 
Stevie Cummins, fashion show coordinator for the Girlfriends’ Weekend committee, says this year The Farmer’s Daughter is modeling quilts while other merchants are featuring clothing. Two new participants to the show, Homestead Studio and JQ Clothing Co., will join the staple fashion show merchants The Alpaca Store, Jewel of the West and Granite Sports. There will be everything from fast fashion to high-end looks, outdoor wear and unique one-of-a-kind pieces. 
“It’s a real opportunity for locals and people out of town to really see what Hill City has to offer,” Cummins says.
“It’s a great event. It’s probably the most work for the stores participating,” Cummins says of the fashion show. She has six models getting fitted for five outfits each.
“It’s extensive,” she said. She says it takes her and another employee two eight-hour days. 
“There’s a lot of planning and prep that goes into it, not just for the committee, but for the stores behind the scenes,” she said.
The fashion show will again be held at Diamond Spur Event Center at Three Forks. Cummins thinks it is the perfect venue, offering great viewing for all who come out, and says committee members are thrilled to have the venue.  
“It has elevated this event to a different level because of the space,” Cummins says of Diamond Spur. She says Diamond Spur is the best place to facilitate the fashion show. 
“It is set up for this sort of thing. Stores are selling more because they (girlfriends) can see,” she said.
Diamond Spur was completely donated with Cummins stressing the only income it will get is whatever it takes in from the bar. 
“It is an amazing and hugely generous donation and I think they really need to be given kudos. I could not stress that enough,” Cummins says. 
“Hill City holds a special place in my heart,” says Diamond Spur Events Center owner Alicia Edsen.
“I graduated from Hill City High School and my parents continue to call it home. My family and I love to introduce new people to the area and donating the venue for the Hill City Girlfriends’ Weekend is my way of giving back to this wonderful community,” Edsen said. “I’m honored to offer a beautiful space where everyone can gather and enjoy the fashion show, and I hope it adds to the magic of this special event.”
Cummins said Girlfriends’ committee members  learned from last year’s attendees that better crowd control was important, and security and a more streamlined entry will be a priority this year.  Fashion show attendees  can enjoy complimentary appetizers donated by various Hill City businesses as well as a cash bar. 
The fashion show is  also a fundraiser collecting money this year for a Black Hills charity, FOY, which helps adult cancer patients with their rent or mortgage while they are undergoing treatments.
Those going to the fashion show can catch a free ride to Diamond Spur courtesy of Harlow’s Transportation. The shuttle  will allow patrons to avoid drinking and driving while still enjoying a safe, fun night out. 
During the day Saturday some merchants have their own unique events. Homestead  Studio is featuring local artist Jillian Kosmala painting live  while the studio offers discounts on leather bags, fine art and selected jewelry.
TurtleTown  is offering 20 percent off chocolate and an opportunity to network with a sales director from Mary Kay between  10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Granite Sports is giving away a free Vuori tote with any $150 purchase (while supplies last) as well as 20 percent off purses and all water bottles and an extra 10 percent off clearance cave items. The Farmer’s Daughter is giving free gifts to girlfriends with a purchase and Lorena Fries says the shop will be “serving a taste treat sensation” as well.
Cummins said all the businesses come together with specials like gift baskets, raffles and deep discounts. Her own store, Jewel of the West, is serving mimosas, featuring  a progressive clearance sales discount and  holding drawings for door prizes all day Saturday. 
Merchants are also having a scavenger hunt  Saturday as a way to draw people into their businesses, Cummins explains.
All participating Girlfriends’ Weekend merchants pay a fee to participate, which covers things like the cost of printing and insurance.
 The committee features 10 business owners who work all year to get the event together. In January the committee has a meeting to go over feedback from the previous year’s event. Committee members then meet twice a month beginning in August and then begin meeting  weekly. 
“There’s a lot done behind the scenes to line things up,” Cummins says.
The Girlfriends’ committee opted not to do a large social gathering on Saturday night as it has in previous years. Committee member Janelle Schock says it affords down time to girlfriends which committee members saw as a need.
“The Saturday night free time is a great gift for the women because it gives them a chance to go back and relax and connect on a level with the friends that they came with and they don’t have to do anything,” Schock says.
The only event that costs money all weekend is the Sunday Brunch at the Hill City Center. Cummins  says people should buy their brunch tickets early. 
“Every year that I’ve been a part we’ve sold out and had a waiting list,” she said.
The brunch is being catered by Tin City Saloon and mimosas and bloody marys will be available for purchase. The tickets are $28.52 and 80 tickets are being sold.
“When they’re sold out, they’re sold out,” Cummins says.
Katy Kinnan, director of outreach at Fountain Springs  Church Rapid City, will offer a motivational talk entitled “The Art of Showing Up” at the Sunday brunch. She says her words will stress  the importance of “showing up for ourselves and showing up for others” and how that contributes to our lives and the lives of the people around us.
Check out all the Girlfriends’ Weekend specials and events at its Facebook page at  facebook.com/hillcitygirl
friendsweekend.
 

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