Pride of Dakota Showcase Coming to Bismarck [SPONSORED]

Holiday shoppers will have a chance to cross some names off their gift-giving list when the 2013 Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase returns to the Bismarck Civic Center, Friday through Sunday, Dec. 6-8.

More than 200 companies will fill the vendor booths with North Dakota-made products. Last year, more than 14,000 shoppers found gifts, food, home décor, books, jewelry, artwork, apparel, wine and more. Booths are located in the exhibit hall and the upper level Prairie Rose Rooms.

The showcase is open from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $2 per adult, and includes a free, reusable shopping bag. Shoppers who bring their own reusable, cloth bag will receive $1 off admission. Military members and their families also receive $1 off admission with presentation of a military ID. Parking is free for Showcase shoppers.

The Bank of North Dakota, Great River Energy and the North Dakota Ethanol Council sponsor the reusable bags giveaway.

Paid admission also includes the Pride of Dakota Passport, sponsored by ND Ethanol Council. Attendees can take their Passport to the three stamping stations in the Exhibition Hall and Upstairs Lobby. Volunteers in each station will stamp the passport which can then be entered in a drawing for a chance to win $250 in Pride of Dakota bucks. This prize money can be spent at the Showcase, online or directly through a Pride of Dakota member company.

The passport drawing will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday. Participants need not be present to win.

Founded in 1985 and administered by the Marketing and Information Division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program provides member companies with cooperative marketing and promotional events, such as in-store demonstrations, Pride of Dakota Day and the Holiday and Harvest Showcases. The program also provides educational opportunities and representation at regional, national and international marketing expositions. More than 500 North Dakota companies are Pride of Dakota members.