Elk Grove shopper wins $2,000

Elk Grove shopper Randall Garrett has an extra $2,000 to spend locally.

Garrett was the grand prize winner of this year’s Holiday Shop Elk Grove contest, officials announced today.

Seventy-one Elk Grove businesses participated in the drive, which kicked-off on Black Friday, to get residents to spend their money in local shops.

“It went great,” Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angela Perry said. “It’s just a great program. I wish more people would get involved. It’s been so much fun – participants enjoy it and the consumers enjoy it.”

Shoppers entered to win prizes by visiting participating businesses and filling out a raffle entry form. The more they shopped locally, the more opportunities they had to win.

In addition, 70 other prizes worth over $8,000 were also given away, including dance and drama lessons, gift certificates to Fairfield Inn, Outback and Boulevard Bistro and a See’s Candy holiday basket.

“People don’t realize we have what you need in Elk Grove if you just take the time to try and find it,” Perry said.

The contest is over, but for those last minute shoppers, there’s still time to shop locally and take advantage of free public transportation.

The city of Elk Grove has free transit service on local fixed routes and free local Paratransit services Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Weekend fixed route service is available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekend Paratransit service runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During the week, local fixed route service will include e-tran routes 157 and 162, routes that are designed to reach Elk Grove shopping, dining and entertainment spots.

Shopper Shuttles weeknight service has also been expanded and will be available from 6 to 10 p.m. These shuttles hit major shopping centers along Laguna Boulevard, Harbor Point Drive, Elk Grove Boulevard and Bradshaw Road. Regular fares apply.

Schedules and maps are available at www.e‐tran.org.