Spring will arrive a little early in downtown Athens as local boutiques prepare for the annual Boutique Crawl, set for March 7 and March 14.

The two-day shopping event will highlight clothing and gift shops throughout the historic downtown district, offering shoppers special promotions, fresh spring merchandise and festive touches along the way.

Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson said the event is designed to celebrate local businesses while welcoming the new season.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the arrival of spring with our downtown boutique owners,” Richardson said. “This Boutique Crawl is a wonderful opportunity for our community to discover the unique shopping experiences that make downtown Athens special. Supporting these local businesses means investing in the heart of our city.”

Participating clothing boutiques will feature their newest spring collections, showcasing updated styles and seasonal colors. Gift shops will offer home décor, accessories and specialty items aimed at helping shoppers refresh their spaces after the winter months.

As part of the celebration, shoppers who spend $25 or more at participating boutiques on either event day can enter to win a $500 Downtown Athens shopping spree.

Entry links will be available at participating stores and on the Athens Main Street website. Receipts must be submitted by midnight on March 14. The winner will be announced shortly after the event and they may redeem the prize at any participating Boutique Crawl business.

Downtown visitors will also notice decorative photo card signs displayed throughout the district during the event, adding a festive backdrop for shoppers.

The Boutique Crawl is presented by Dream Key Real Estate with additional support from Redstone Federal Credit Union.

For more information about participating boutiques and event details, visit athensmainstreet.org or follow Athens Main Street on social media.