Staff Writer

Christmas Open House in downtown Union is always defined by shopping, music, food and a chance to connect with old friends, Chamber of Commerce Director Torance Inman says.

“It's a three or four block Christmas party,” he said. “You see folks you haven't seen all year. There will be plenty of food, Christmas items will be for sale and merchants will have Christmas specials.”

Christmas Open House will be held Thursday from 6-9 p.m. Main Street will be blocked off beginning around 5 p.m. Closing off the street allows for some musical activities to be in the street and provides a safe corridor for carriage rides.

“We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the fellowship and get in the Christmas spirit,” Inman said.

During Christmas Open House, Santa Claus will be in the lobby of Provident Community Bank on Main with photos by Timeless Treasures.

Along with carriage rides, children's train rides will be available.

The Salvation Army Band will perform in front of Wachovia Bank.

Christmas candies will be sold by Hospice Care of South Carolina. Career Source will serve hot cider.

Palmetto Hugs will hold a bake sale and Christmas ornament sale.

True Care Humane Society also will hold a bake sale.

Relay for Life Christmas decorations will be sold and All Pro Office Services also will have decorations and ornaments for sale.

A Mary Kay Christmas sale will be held in front of the school district office.

Music will be featured throughout downtown Union. At the Union County Museum, Ross Fowler will play a marimba that belonged to longtime Lockhart Schools music teacher Willie Blackwood Cobb.

The Riverside Boys will perform at Arthur State Bank and refreshments will be sold.

Sounds of Praise will perform at Graham Cash and refreshments will be sold.

The Rev. Alan Quarles will perform at the Lunch Box and a group from Mon-Aetna Baptist will sing at the Lions Club.

Local guitarist Wesley Sinex will play at Common Interest Mercantile and refreshments will be sold.

The Grace United Methodist Church Choir will sing at the Union County Arts Council, Corinth Baptist Church Youth Choir will sing at Provident Community Bank at 6 p.m., Miss Elaine's School of Dance will perform at 6:15 p.m. in front of the studio. St. Luke's Baptist Children's Choir will sing at 6:30 p.m. at Provident Community Bank.

The Dance Academy will perform at 7 p.m. at the courthouse.

Melody Farr will sing at 7 p.m. and refreshments will be sold.

Ultimate Rhythm Dance Company will perform at 8 p.m. at Keepsake Jewelers.

Amanda Dressendorfer will sing at 8 p.m. at WBCU.

Other groups and individuals also will sing.

Food and holiday goodies being sold include pecan and peanut brittle by First Pentecostal Church. Cotton candy, boiled peanuts and funnel cakes by Frank Adams, Big Daddy's Barbecue by Tubo Owens and fish ‘n chips by Corinth Baptist Church.