The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce is asking for the city’s support in what’s become a Whitehorse shopping tradition.

Yukoner Appreciation Day is slated for Nov. 3.

The chamber is asking the city to provide free parking on Main Street for the day, along with closing off a section of Third Avenue to traffic.

That way, a tent can be put up and food vendors, pending city approval, could have space for the event. The group is also asking that the city put up Christmas lights on Main Street only for the annual event.

The day serves as a kick-off to the holiday shopping season. Local participating shops often offer discounts to shoppers.

As well, the chamber also has prizes available to those who get their shopping passports stamped at the participating businesses.

As Mike Pemberton, the chamber’s first vice-chair, told council in a presentation Monday night, it has grown from a small event hosted by the Hougen Group of Companies to something many businesses take part in.

The chamber took over from the Hougen companies three years ago as a way to promote its Buy Local message, with more shops around the city participating each year.

The 2016 event, Pemberton pointed out, saw the chamber drawing prizes from a total of 3,500 shopping passports that were turned in by those who had visited local participating shops.

Those stores stamp the passports for shoppers who then turn them in for the prize draws.

This year, Pemberton said, chamber officials are hopeful it will continue to grow, with 37 businesses already booked to be part of the day.

Plans would see food vendors on site, space in the larger tent for businesses outside of the downtown core to set up a table with merchandise, ongoing entertainment in the tent, along with promotion efforts through advertising and such.

Pemberton also suggested the city not put bags over the meters as it has done in the past in providing the free parking.

As he noted, in some cases, that has led to confusion, with shoppers unsure about whether they could park there.

He suggested instead that bylaw officers be on-hand along Main Street to let shoppers know they can park for free.

City planner Mike Ellis recommended the city provide the free parking along with approving a grant of up to $4,700 to cover the lost revenue.

“The loss of potential revenue from parking meters and street closure permit is estimated to be approximately $4,700,” he said.

He also pointed out the downtown parking management plan specifies the use of parking meters is not to raise revenue, but rather to ensure short-term on-street parking is available to customers.

“Providing free parking may have the unintended consequence of allowing employees to use meters all day,” Ellis said.

Earlier, he had noted the chamber has said businesses will be stressing to their employees that parking spots on the street should be left for shoppers during Yukoner Appreciation Day.

While it will be up to council to decide on the free parking and street closure, the other requests can be dealt with by city administration.

“Typically, the parks and community development department installs Christmas lights after Remembrance Day every year,” Ellis said.

“Staff will make best efforts to have the lights installed in time for the Buy Local event. Food vendors will be permitted as requested through the land and building services department.”

The chamber emphasized prior to Nov. 11, it is only looking for the lights to be set up along Main Street.

While council won’t vote on the free parking and street closure until next week, both Mayor Dan Curtis and Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu expressed their support for the day.

Curteanu wondered if all participating shops would be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Pemberton said the chamber will have its events running between those hours, but each store can operate on its own schedule.

Many have extended their hours on Yukoner Appreciation Day in the past, with most operating between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Others open from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and some keep their doors open for the full 12 hours outlined.

Meanwhile, Curtis commented it’s clear everyone is agreed “it’s a good idea.”

He noted, however, that the request for free parking may continue to come forward each year, as has been the case in recent years.

In that event, the mayor said, he’d like to have it considered in the budget on a more permanent basis, perhaps coming forward earlier in the year.

“I’d like to have that conversation,” Curtis told the chamber.

Council will vote on this year’s request next week.

Councillors Rob Fendrick and Betty Irwin were absent from last night’s meeting.