Feb 6, 2024 By Paul Paterra 2 min read

The Washington Business District Authority has launched an initiative called the Downtown Washington Passport Program.

The passport program is designed to support local businesses and offers the opportunity to win prizes.

Residents and visitors can pick up a passport at any 2024 WBDA event beginning with the Local Love Cocoa Tour on Feb. 10, print it from the WBDA website or cut it out of the Observer-Reporter and collect “stamps” at participating businesses throughout downtown Washington.

“In the past, you would typically get a passport at an event like the Local Love Cocoa Tour and you would have to turn it in,” explained Shana Brown, WBDA director. “You would have three hours to go to 20 different stops and turn it in. That’s a little counterproductive at times for everyone involved.”

With that in mind, a 2024 passport was established.

“You can pick it up at any one of the downtown WBDA events, we have plenty coming up,” Brown said. “The initiative not only encourages residents and visitors to explore all that downtown Washington has to offer but also provides valuable support to our local businesses as they continue to thrive.”

With each purchase made at participating businesses throughout the city’s downtown, stamps are collected on the passport.

“Make a purchase and they’ll sign off on it,” Brown said. “You also get bonus passport stamps for events that you come to.”

Once the passport is filled with stamps, it is turned in for a chance to win prizes, including a $500 gift card for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. A number of prizes from downtown businesses also will be available.

All participants will receive an exclusive T-shirt when they turn in their passports.

A list of participating businesses is available at downtownwashingtonpa.com.

“Our community answered the call when we announced this program, and we are so grateful for all of their support,” Brown said.

.