Jennifer and Adam Tolman, owners of Malheur Drug in Vale, founded Moonlight Madness a few years ago. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell)
VALE – If you are looking for a deal or searching for a good gift, downtown Vale is the place to be Friday night.
The annual Moonlight Madness event kicks off at 7 p.m. with 18 businesses and organizations participating.
Malheur Drug started the Moonlight Madness happening “five or six years ago,” said owner Adam Tolman. Tolman owns Malheur Drug with his wife, Jennifer.
“I didn’t know how to capitalize on Black Friday so I started Moonlight Madness,” said Tolman.
Tolman said he wanted to add a twist to the normal Black Friday schedule.
“Instead of opening up early we did it at night. After year one, Luzetta’s Flowers jumped on board and we had a couple of other vendors. Now, fast forward to today and it is this massive community event and it is awesome,” said Tolman.
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More than 40 vendors will be on hand this year. A new piece of the Moonlight Madness night will be a transit service sponsored by the Vale Community Coalition. The service will pick up riders in the downtown area and drop them off at various business locations.
Among local businesses participating in the event include Bixby’s Stopitoff Coffee, Bliss Yoga Studio, Krystal Stewart Real Estate, Luzetta’s Flowers, Malheur Drug, Mal’s Diner, Nails by Jenn, Hair by them, Ogawa’s Food Truck, Okie Tacos Food truck and Perk Beverage Co.
Other businesses involved are Sagebrush Saloon, Studio D Photography, Vale Bookkeeping and the Vale Liquor Store.
St. Patrick Catholic Church will also host eight vendors while the Vale Emma Humphrey Library will host three vendors during Moonlight Madness.
Vendors at different locations run the gamut from BeCause Cosmetics by Rachel McPheeters and Beeswax Wraps and Gifts by Annah Tubbs at Bliss Yoga Studio to Brown Bag Apparel by Heather Kesey at Perk Beverage Co. The Vale Senior Center will also be involved and will host a holiday bazaar Friday night.
“Moonlight Madness is going to be awesome this year,” said Jessica Kulm, Vale Chamber of Commerce president.
Kulm, who owns Bliss Yoga Studio, said there is a high degree of interest in Moonlight Madness.
Kulm said the chamber’s decision to add more support to the event has already paid off.
“It has been really nice to work with several groups of people who are excited to make things happen,” said Kulm.
Tolman encouraged residents to come to Moonlight Madness.
“It is a really good time with a lot of great deals around town,” said Tolman.
Tolman said for Malheur Drug, Moonlight Madness is the “biggest sale of the year.”
“All of our guns will be discounted. Basically, you can purchase weapons at cost all day,” said Tolman. Tolman said last year during Moonlight Madness he sold nearly 30 guns.
Tolman said Malheur Drug will offer other deals as well.
“We will have specials on radio controlled cars, planes and helicopters. Everything else throughout the store will be 25% off,” said Tolman.
Sarah Rodriguez, the owner of Luzetta’s Flowers in Vale, said Moonlight Madness is a good way for the community to unite for a special event.
“I love it. It is a fun time and is exciting,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said her shop will have door prizes and samples Friday night.
“Storewide, everything is on sale,” said Rodriguez.
Jennifer Tolman said the transit service consists of two mini-vans.
“It is kind of like Uber except there is no app,” said Tolman.
The cost for a ride is $1 cash, said Tolman.
The Enterprise is covering the cost of the first 200 rides.
Proceeds, Tolman said, from the ride service will be used to make future improvements to Wadleigh Park.
“I hope it will be fun for people,” said Tolman.
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