The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON--Ladies grab your daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends and head out for some fun on Monday, between 5 and 8 p.m., for Dayton's annual Ladies Night Out event.

The idea for Ladies Night Out originated at a quilt shop called the Hawthorne Gallery, owned by Patti Eaton. Ladies would stop by the shop for wine and appetizers, and create a wish list for Christmas and for other occasions for family members to fill, said Village Shoppes owner Candy Jones. It has been an annual tradition ever since, she said.

This year 18 retail shops are participating in Ladies Night Out, said Mindy Betzler who owns Dingle's of Dayton. Betzler said 120 people participated in Ladies Night Out last year, and this year should be no different.

"It really is a lot of fun wandering around town and seeing people you haven't seen in a while," she added.

Betzler said a scavenger hunt took place last year and is on tap for this year, too. "That encouraged people to participate, and gave businesses some exposure."

Scavenger hunt cards are available at each participating store. When they are full they may be dropped off at the last retail shop visited for entry into a random drawing.

Betzler said two lucky winners will be chosen to receive gift baskets containing items from each of the retail shops. The drawing will take place the following week at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce office.

Betzler said at one time there had been quite a number of smaller businesses on Main Street, but as some of them were shuttered, the Ladies Night Out got the "dwindles." She said a Men's Night Out was also tried for a couple of years, but the guys would come in for snacks and "beverages," and they did little shopping.

Some organizations have a little bit of Ladies Night Out all year long. The Skyline Juniors Club has had a long history of participation in Ladies Night Out, and they will purchase gifts for their Secret Pals throughout the year, said Betzler.

Betzler is getting Dingle's of Dayton prepared for the event. "We always have lots of food, snacks and drinks," she said. "All the shops are having treats," she added.

Betzler said scavenger hunt cards and wish lists are available at the following participating businesses:

Village Shoppes

Dingles of Dayton

Columbia County Health System

Noble Hunt

Weinhard Café & Bakery

Wenaha Gallery

Quilts and More

Rey's Roast

Dayton Historic Depot

Snapdragon Floral & Gifts

Weinhard Espresso Bar and Gift Shop

Azure Mountain Botanicals

Chief Springs Brew Pub

Elk Drug

Best Western Plus

Bluewood Retail Store

Creative Designs

Pioneer West