Arizona State Parks, REI team up to offer Black Friday alternatives
Nov 21, 2017, 4:35 AM | Updated: Nov 24, 2017, 2:09 pm
(AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)
(AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)
PHOENIX — Single day passes to Arizona State Parks are being offered for free at REI stores in Tempe, Paradise Valley, Flagstaff and Tucson as a Black Friday alternative activity.
The passes are only good on Nov. 24 and are intended for people who are seeking an alternative to the shopping extravaganza that occurs the Friday after Thanksgiving.
If one day isn’t enough, pictures on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram sent to Arizona State Parks using the hashtag #OptOutside will be entered to win a free annual pass. Typically these passes cost anywhere from $75 to $200, depending on which parks you choose.
REI has shut down its businesses on Black Friday for the last two years while paying its employees for day, and encouraging them to spend the time outdoors. REI is a retail store that specializes in outdoor equipment.
They use the Black Friday closures to improve their brand and avoid the appearance of becoming too commercialized. Black Friday spending has increased by over 2.5 percent every year since 2010.
Arizona is home to more than 30 designated state parks and single day passes typically range from $10-$30. Forecasts are showing a high of 88 degrees in Phoenix during the day for those looking to spend some time outside.
