IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photos / TIM GULLA Matthew McDonald, owner of Book Shelf Florist & Gifts, was pressed into service Friday as Gaffney's town crier. Here he reads the proclamation that declared the opening of Christmas on Limestone.

Matthew McDonald might have found a new calling.

By day he's the friendly owner of Book Shelf Florists & Gifts on West Frederick Street in Gaffney.

On Friday night, he became Gaffney's town crier.

Dressed in a top hat and black cloak, he read the proclamation that opened the Christmas on Limestone celebration. Once his official duties were over, he strolled Limestone Street, bell in hand, wishing glad tidings to everyone who would hear.

"Would I do it again? Absolutely," the downtown business owner said while making his way through a downtown bustling with people.

This year's annual celebration on Limestone Street was hailed as the best yet.

"It just gets bigger and better every year," said Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly.

Not only were the crowds enthusiastic, Jolly said this year's event saw even greater participation by downtown businesses and merchants, all of which bodes well for revitalization efforts in the downtown area.

Keri Bloomer, 14, of Gaffney High School, volunteers her time Saturday to help Limestone College student athletes place 10,000 luminaries on campus and neighboring streets. Bloomer has been volunteering for the annual event since she was 8 years old.

Business owners weren't the only ones happy. The event brought together an estimated 3,500 to 3,800 people, young and old alike, in the spirit of Christmas.

Gaffney resident Kerri Gulledge smiled upon seeing the joyous reaction of her two children as they approached Santa Claus, who was hearing Christmas wish lists and passing out candy canes in front of Pieces From the Past, an antiques store.

She and Santa both shared a laugh when her 3-year-old son Gregory asked for a motorcycle.

Santa was skeptical Gregory's mother would allow him to have such a gift.

Gregory didn't walk away unhappy, though. The peppermint treat he received from Santa seemed satisfying enough.

This was the first year Gulledge brought her two children, Gregory and his nearly 2-year-old sister Jade, to the event.

"It's awesome," Gulledge said.

Gayle White, owner of Pieces From the Past and president of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, said events like this are great for the downtown and for residents.

They also bring back many fond memories for her.

"It's like the old time days where you would walk down the street and see everyone you knew, because everybody shopped downtown," she said.

Event director Loretta O'Donald praised the work of the downtown business owners committee and event volunteers and lauded the support of an increasing number of financial sponsors.

"We had so many people who volunteered their time and contributed different things," she said. "All of their support makes the event possible."

Though the event lasts just one night, planning begins months in advance. O'Donald said the organizers had been working on the plans since last March.