Downtown merchants getting ready for annual Christmas Open House

Staff Writer

It's beginning to look more than a little like Christmas downtown.

Many merchants have decorated their storefronts with trees, ornaments and angels in preparation for the annual Christmas Open House in downtown Union on Thursday.

“The entire event has a three-fold purpose,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Torance Inman. “First, to promote the season; second, to promote the merchants and the downtown area and third, to give everyone a nice, seasonal kick start. A lot of work is going into the decorations and preparations for the increased number of visitors and we want everyone in Union to come see downtown and take advantage of the festive atmosphere and sales.”

Downtown Union Christmas Open House will be held from 6-9 p.m.

“We wish that everyone would come and just stay a little while,” Inman said. “You don't have to stay the entire three hours. Just come walk downtown, take a carriage ride, see the children dance and see all the smiling faces.”

Along with carriage rides, there will be train rides for children and other attractions and food.

Santa Claus will be in the lobby of Provident Bank with pictures made by Sight & Sound.

There will be Christmas Candies at Hospice Care of South Carolina, collegiate teddy bears and refreshments at Annie's Consignment; Christian T-shirts and Christmas ornaments at Inspirational Corner; hot chocolate at All Pro Office Services; and Union County Foster Home Recruitment will offer a holiday card sale.

Cub Scouts from Pack 42 will serve coffee and hot chocolate at the Union County School District Office.

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

Terry Mitchell will sing at the former Smith's Drugs location. There will be a special Christmas display at the Union County Museum.

Music throughout downtown will include the Riverside Boys (and refreshments) at Arthur State Bank; Alton Stone with sounds of praise from the Union Church of God at Graham Cash; Patti Turner at the Lunch Box; the Tabernacle Youth Choir at the Lion's Club; the Corinth Baptist Youth Choir at 6 p.m. at Provident; Miss Elaine's School of Dance at 6:30 p.m. in front of their studio; the Foster Park Chorus in front of Wachovia at 6 p.m.; the Dance Academy at 6:30 p.m. at Keepsake Jewelers; Melody Farr (and refreshments) at 7 p.m. at Keepsake; Ultimate Rhythm Dance Company at 7 p.m. at the courthouse; Amanda Dressendorfer at 8 p.m. at Economy Office Supply.

Food and holiday goodies will be on sale, coffee and cookies at the Lion's Club; cotton candy, boiled peanuts and funnel cakes by Frank Adams; Big Daddy's Barbecue by Tubo Owens; chicken strip plates by the Buffalo United Methodist Church Relay for Life team at Career Source and T.C. Jewelers; Graham Cash, Wachovia and others will provide refreshment stops.