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Georgia Lifestyle

#OptOutside on Black Friday

Since 2015, REI has closed store doors on Black Friday to #OptOutside and parks around Georgia have partnered to push that initiative –>

Trade shopping malls for waterfalls this Black Friday when you choose to #OptOutside.

Created by outdoor retailer REI and celebrated by Georgia’s State Parks, the national movement encourages Americans to spend time with friends and family in the great outdoors, rather than fighting shopping mall crowds and traffic.

Added bonus: working off that pumpkin pie! Many Georgia State Parks are hosting ranger-led events on Friday, November 29, including:

  • Birding for Beginners at Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs (9 a.m.)
  • 7-Mile Hike at Fort Yargo State Park, Winder (10 a.m.)
  • Colonial Toys and Games Outdoors at Fort King George Historic Site, Darien (1 p.m.)
  • Nature Walk at Magnolia Springs State Park, Millen (1 p.m.)
  • Nature Sketching at Etowah Indian Mounds, Cartersville (2 p.m.)
  • Post-Thanksgiving Paddle at Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge (3 p.m.)

Find park locations and more events on GaStateParks.org.

Since 2015, REI has closed store doors on Black Friday to #OptOutside. In 2019, the company is expanding its initiative and doing more – kicking off ‘a year of change’ on November 29th. There are more than 100 clean up locations scheduled for Black Friday. From the REI website:

#OptOutside began as a moment that turned into a movement. Now it’s a mission⁠—that’s why we’re equipping everyone to act. But when it comes to reducing our impact, we know individual choices aren’t the whole story. Businesses need to act, too. Here’s how we Opt to Act:

We’re closing our doors on Black Friday and paying our13,000+ employees to #OptOutside and make a difference.


We’re rethinking our entire business and giving all ourmembers a way to engage in a circular economy.


We’re reducing waste across the co-op and working toget rid of unnecessary waste across our industry.


We’re committed to fight for life outdoors every day, soexpect more plans and action from us in 2020.

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