City plans ‘downtown Christmas’

The City of Gaffney will host an evening of caroling, lighting and shopping in the uptown area on Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 until 9 p.m.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the family event.

“Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without everyone coming uptown to help light the tree, to hear and sing Christmas carols, and to shop for bargains,” Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly said. “It’s like the Christmas parade. It’s tradition.”

Events will include a performance by the Limestone College Brass Ensemble, a town crier and autograph sessions with local pageant queens. The city’s official Christmas tree will be lit at 6 p.m., followed by caroling.

Throughout the evening, there will be a roving choir, visits with Santa Claus, free hayrides, and shopping specials in the uptown area, which will be blocked off to car traffic.

“Several key organizations and individuals stepped forward and combined their efforts to keep this tradition alive and well,” said project coordinator Pat Throneburg. “I would like to give special thanks to the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and the newly formed Uptown Business Association for their support. By working with the city, these organizations will make Christmas a little merrier here in Gaffney.”

Activities will include:

— Uptown merchants and organizations have been asked to stay open until 9 p.m. and offer the public shopping specials, refreshments and other creative promotions.

— Approximately 500 luminaries will decorate the uptown area, mostly along Limestone Street.

— Children from Limestone Central and Grassy Pond Elementary schools will sing carols at the corner of Limestone and Frederick streets, 6:10-6:30 p.m.

— Local variety (rock, pop, country) band Third Degree will perform in front of the Bicentennial and Visitors Center on Limestone Street, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

— Santa and Mrs. Claus will talk with children at the corner of Limestone and Frederick streets, 6:30-9 p.m. Photography will be available.

— Businesses’ Big Christmas Surprise: Each merchant and business has been asked to supply a gift valued at least $20. These items will be given to citizens in one or more drawings.

— Mrs. Claus will have a drawing every half hour for a free poinsettia.

— Free hayrides up and down Limestone Street will be provided throughout the evening.

— Games, such as ring toss and a dunking booth, will be available for young children at the corner of Robinson and Limestone streets.

— Children can enjoy the free “moon walk” at Limestone and Railroad streets.

— A free “slide” for children 10 years old and older will be set up in the Medicine Shoppe parking lot.

“The city and the uptown merchants are commended for organizing this event,” Jim Cook, executive director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, said. “Not only are we providing the public an opportunity to share in the Christmas spirit, but we are stimulating commerce in the uptown area. What better way to kick off the holiday season than with some old-fashioned fun and local bargain shopping.”

For more information call Throneburg at 487-6244.