The holiday spirit is in the air, or at least it was Tuesday night as the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee hosted its annual Holiday Open House.
I could barely keep from bursting into song, belting out some of those favorite Christmas songs we all know and love, as I made my way downtown and along Park Avenue.
The Holiday Open House, which has become a tradition on election night, appeared to be a big success. And the atmosphere throughout town was incredibly festive.
I enjoyed seeing people walking along the sidewalks, listening to music and shopping with Greenwood merchants.
You couldn’t walk a block downtown without stopping to say hello to a neighbor or friend. That was my favorite part of the night. I enjoyed all the hugs and fellowship as much as looking at the colorful shops filled with holiday goodies.
It was the perfect opportunity for merchants to showcase what they have to offer. And with the economy crisis we are facing today, it is more important than ever for us to support our local businesses. Plus, who can afford to travel very far on shopping trips these days?
I know I saw several gift ideas Tuesday night that I plan on purchasing this holiday season.
Besides the shopping, I also enjoyed the food and music. Almost every store had finger foods and drinks for their customers. The dressing I sampled at The Mississippi Gift Company was excellent, and there was a great cheese ball at Port Eliot. I could go on and on about the wonderful food, but I don’t think there is enough room to list them all.
And I can’t forget about the blues music. A group performed in front of Fincher’s Gifts on Howard Street, and two little boys, all decked out in red, were having the best time dancing. A crowd gathered round to listen to the soulful tunes and enjoy the atmosphere.
The Yuletide Trolley Ride also was a nice addition to the festivities.
The trolley offered entertainment for part of the evening, with the Curvettes performing until about 7 p.m. What a nice way to get from one side of town to the other and visit all your favorite shops along the way.
The Retail Committee and the merchants who participated in the Open House should be commended, once again, for a great night of food, fun, entertainment and shopping. The event was one of the most successful I can remember in some time.
Greenwood has a great shopping base, and I encourage you to visit our area stores first when you get ready to purchase those gifts for family and friends. Happy holiday shopping.
