DIXON, CA (MPG) - Downtown businesses are feeling lucky and plan to celebrate the first day of spring this Saturday, March 20, with sidewalk sales, drawings for a variety of gift baskets, book giveaways, and even the opportunity to take a historical walk from 10 am to 3 pm. Besides, there's plenty of reason to celebrate now that Dixon has been able to move into the Red Tier of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy after weeks of being severely restricted due to COVID hospitalization rates.

It helps that the forecast is a pleasurable, 70 degrees.

"This is just the beginning after a very long quiet time for the Downtown Dixon Business Association," said Rebecca Robinson, a past DDBA President and owner of Uptown Collective on North First Street who has been helping kick start the organization again." It's Covid and it has been different at times but whoever participates will have a good time and it will help our residents enjoy downtown. We'll just see how we do."

Shoppers can look for the green 'Lucky Lively March' signs for participating businesses and can enter a drawing that will award at least a dozen or more gift baskets from businesses and restaurants.

"If people aren't ready to come out and enjoy shopping, we encourage them to order meals to go from any of our wonderful restaurants," said Robinson. Even service businesses like Almond Tree Home Loans, realtors, and ARCK Home Loans will provide brochures, information or promotional handouts during the day and look forward to meeting people.

"We will open the doors and welcome people in, and hopefully they'll see Michelle Doan's new spot," said Amy Rogers, owner of Kula's Boutique and Tanning who now offers Doan's hair styling talents inside the yellow door, 120 West B Street next to the B Street Barber Shop.

The Dixon Historical Society on West A Street will also give you a sneak peek at the museum's first exhibit by opening their doors on the renovated former Ice House building.

A short block away, Mother-A House Plant Boutique at 350 West A Street will offer spring specials on a variety of plants and next door, Susan Motley of Motley Realty as well as the Dixon Independent Voice Newspaper will offer a book, magazine, and newspaper giveaway.

People are strongly encouraged to wear masks and socially distance. Hand sanitizer will also be available at various businesses.

The mission of the DDBA is to enhance the business environment and promote the revitalization of downtown as the cultural center of the community. The volunteer group also coordinates numerous events downtown such as the annual Tree Lighting Festival, Wine Stroll and Dixon Dash, which were all cancelled last year. For more information, go to www.downtowndixon.com or call (707) 678-8400.