Residents are invited to get to know local businesses (and take home some freebies) during the first annual Village of Churchville "Walkabout," Thursday, June 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. Businesses will be open late that night offering discounts, tours, free samples and coupons.

"We want to let people know what businesses (and services) there are in Churchville," said event organizer Scott Cullen.

Cullen sent fliers to local business owners encouraging them to remain open for the Churchville Walkabout and to offer incentives to get people into their stores. He is offering a free five-day rental to anyone stopping in at his own store, Videos Plus, that night.

He said he has received a great response. Participants include Babe's Unisex Salon, where massage therapist Susan M. Onderdonk will be on hand to give free five-minute chair massages. Peggy Naughton will be giving tours at the Johnson House, and handing out coupons for discounts on dinner, and residents will be able to stop into the village physician's office to meet Dr. Henry Paszko and have complimentary refreshments.

Railway Pizza Café will be offering free ice cream samples, Jazz's Hair Salon will hand out free samples of hair care products, the Churchville Agency will be holding a raffle for a $75 dinner gift certificate, and A Touch of County Class will be offering discounts on sales that night - just some of the businesses Cullen has gotten to respond.

As the owner of Air Affair and Videos Plus on Main Street in the village, and a village trustee, Cullen said he knows many village and town of Riga residents are not even aware some local businesses exist - and awareness is the first step in encouraging people to shop locally. He said he expects the event to grow each year, both in attendance and in the number of businesses participating.