Stroll through real snow, visit with the Clauses, cheer on the parade, and shop local to support our community — it’s all happening this weekend as Christmas comes to Downtown Garner!
Light Up Main kicks off the holiday festivities on Friday night, Nov. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., on Main Street.
Offering great local entertainment on the Main Stage, refreshments, children’s arts and crafts and, of course, the annual tree lighting ceremony led by Mayor Ronnie Williams, there’s fun for all. And Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for visits, as the snowflakes fall!
An exciting new addition to Garner’s holiday activities this year is the Main Street Market, launched by the Garner Revitalization Association to provide local artists and entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their products.
From hand-painted ornaments to pottery, jewelry, gourmet foods and wearable art, 14 vendors will offer handmade and unique products for entertaining and gift giving, as the GRA works to encourage small business growth and investment.
“There are many talented and creative local business people who are working and selling primarily outside of Garner,” said John Hodges, executive director of the GRA. “We hope the market will give these businesses an opportunity to increase their visibility at home and in turn help us grow our retail base. One of them may even be the next permanent tenant in the store space.”
The market will also feature Garner merchandise, and model train displays by the Neuse River Valley Model Railway Club.
Main Street Market will be located at 102 E. Main St., and will be open during Light Up Main and again on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through the Garner Christmas Parade. For a complete vendor listing, visit www.DowntownGarner.com.
Speaking of parades, you’ll want to be front and center for the Garner Christmas Parade, which steps off on Saturday at 2 p.m., featuring marching bands, floats, classic cars, Santa Claus and more.
The theme of this year’s parade is Christmas Past and Present; the parade runs through downtown, with parking available at Garner Recreational Park and the Garner Senior Center.
On Saturday night, don’t miss the first concert of the 2012-13 Broadway Voices series, set for 7:30 p.m., at the Garner Performing Arts Center downtown.
David Burnham, who has starred in multiple Tony Award-winning productions such as Wicked, The Light in the Piazza and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will perform his Mostly Broadway program.
In addition to performing Broadway numbers, Burnham will help ring in the Christmas season with some of his favorite holiday tunes. For tickets, call (919) 661-4602, or visit www.garnerperformingartscenter.com/BroadwayVoices.asp.
The third annual Broadway Voices series, a collaborative effort between the Garner Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Garner and local businesses, continues with shows on March 9, 2013 featuring Craig Schulman, and May 4 featuring Alli Mauzey.
The winter fun continues on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., with the 20th annual Christmas Tour of Homes presented by the Garner Woman’s Club. Featuring six of the area’s most beautiful homes, the tour also includes a reception from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Grand Marquise Ballroom.
Tickets are $15 or two for $25. For tickets or more information, contact any club member or the Garner Chamber of Commerce, at 919-772-6440.
Proceeds go toward the Garner Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund.
