Ah, the holidays in downtown Salisbury! Where else can you share your Christmas wishes with both Santa and the Grinch, or shop to your heart’s content in unique and festively decorated hometown stores, or gaze upon 35 life-size angels all within an easy stroll of the heart of downtown?
Downtown Salisbury Inc. offers up a veritable menu of events and activities from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. They kick things off the evening after Thanksgiving with Holiday Night Out this Friday, 5-9 p.m.
Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as the Grinch, will make the first of their several downtown appearances during this free event. Stores will be open late for your Christmas shopping pleasure, and will be offering special goodies, too.
Take a free trolley ride to your favorite downtown destination, or enjoy the sights from a horse-drawn carriage. Or simply take a moment to enjoy the seasonal sounds of various musicians around downtown, including the a capella quartet Victorian Voices and accordionist Bob Wilusz.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, is Downtown Salisbury’s annual Christmas card photo-op, Santa and the Grinch at the Bell Tower, another free event. The Grinch and the Clauses will be accepting visitors at the Bell Tower Park, corner of West Innes and South Jackson Streets.
While you wait to visit with your favorite Christmas character, you’re welcome to help yourself to cookies and hot chocolate, and create a homemade Christmas decoration or two. Photos will be taken and posted on the Downtown Salisbury Inc. Website for your use and viewing pleasure ó www.DowntownSaliburyNC.com. The event is sponsored by Innes Street Drug Co.
The Arc Festival of Trees will once again be displayed in the F&M Trolley Barn, 125 E. Liberty St. 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5;11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.; 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Admission is free.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be at the Celebration of Angels at Eastern Gateway Park, 300 E. Innes St., from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Live music by local children’s choruses and holiday storytelling will be the backdrop to the stunning visual site of seven foot tall angels of all descriptions, hand-painted by local artists.
These spectacular pieces of art will be on display throughout the park, down Depot Street, and in front of downtown churches. Hot cocoa and mulled apple cider will be available to help keep you warm at this free event, sponsored by F&M Bank.
Santa and the Grinch will be whirling around downtown on antique fire trucks on from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, compliments of W.A. Brown & Son. And you’re invited to ride with them.
Boarding for Santa and the Grinch Fire Trucks takes place in front of Okey Dokey & Co., 126 E. Innes St. Again, cookies and warm drinks are available while you wait, as are fun activities for the kids. This free event is sponsored by First Bank
Would you like a little distraction-free time to shop for the kids? Babysitting services are available at Camp Christmas Child Care from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.
Although there is no charge, Rowan County Youth Services Bureau will gratefully accept a donation in exchange for keeping your young ones entertained and engaged while you shop. Games, arts and crafts, the ever-popular moonbounce, as well as lunch and snacks, await your 3-12 year olds. (Dads, this would be a great time to finish up gift-shopping for Mom, too.)
Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are strongly encouraged. Please call Youth Services Bureau, 704-633-5636 ext. 104, to reserve space for your children. The event is co-sponsored by Salisbury Post and WSTP News Radio.
And 2009 just wouldn’t start off right without literally “ringing in the New Year” during the annual New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower Park. From 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 31, come listen to live music by local musician Don Berg, enjoy refreshments, and enter drawings to win Downtown Dollars (which can be spent at most downtown stores and restaurants) as well as a chance to be the first to ring the Bell Tower bells at the stroke of midnight.
For more information call 704-637-7814 or visit www.DowntownSalisburyNC.com.