It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas thanks to the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce announcement of plans for the 2013 Historic Downtown Apalachicola Christmas Celebration.
The annual celebration will kick-off the day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 29, from 4:00PM – 8:00PM with the lighting of the towns Christmas tree. Merchants will stay open later than usual as the echo from carolers fill the evening air with Christmas Spirit and luminaries line the streets of beautiful downtown Apalachicola.
Santa has opted to arrive into town via shrimp boat at 4:00PM at the City Dock on Water Street leaving behind his traditional mode of transportation at the North Pole. While visiting the historic city to check his list for who’s been naughty or nice, Santa will hear children’s Christmas wishes while carolers sing throughout downtown. And as a special treat, kids from Pam Nobles Dance Studio will perform a dance routine for the Jolly Old Saint.
Also during the celebration the Historic Raney House Museum will be decorated in holiday greenery and will also be open late to host tours of the facility with docents sharing with visitors the city’s early history.
Santa will be staying overnight to be on hand from 1:00PM – 3:00PM on Saturday, November 30, to visit with his furry friends at the Christmas tree. So come back, bring man’s best friend and your cameras to take picture of your pet with Santa for a donation to the Franklin County Humane Society. There will also be a pet costume contest at 3:00PM and special treats for the dogs.
In addition, the Chamber is promoting “Shop Local on Saturday”, from 11:00AM – 6:00PM you can stop by and patronize one of the city’s many small independently-owned stores. Art, jewelry, home décor, food or antiques, you can find the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list, minus the crowds and the hassle of going to the mall.
When you really think about it, it makes perfect sense to spend your dollars at home. The more of your dollars that circulate in the community, will help create a more vibrant, sustainable economy that employs members of your family and your neighbors.
Whether it is at the hardware store, a restaurant, a bookstore or a shop downtown, for every $100 spent in a locally-owned, independent store, $68 is returned to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Local businesses pay local property tax which fund city offices, schools, sheriff’s office, emergency services, and recreation programs. They also provide jobs, and they contribute to local charities. Spending locally is a win-win for everyone.
For more information on this year’s downtown Christmas celebration, please contact Anita Grove, Executive Director of the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce via telephone at (850) 653-9419 or email at anita@apalachicolabay.org.
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