By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
After Thanksgiving, downtown St. Joseph gets ready for Christmas.
Christy George with Mainstreet St. Joseph says it all starts this Saturday with Small Business Saturday
“As people go out and shop for Christmas, one of the things we really want them to think about is your local businesses,” George says on the KFEQmunnity show. “Especially your small businesses like we have downtown.”
Wendy Lilly with the Downtown Association, and owner of Schweetz Candy Co, says the event brings people downtown with businesses hosting different specials
“It’s a good time to get your stocking stuffers or like unique gifts, it’s not cookie cutter gifts that you get at big box stores you’re actually getting something that has been picked out by someone local that they think is special, and it’s probably a one of a kind item you’re not going to find anywhere else,” Lilly says.
The downtown lighting ceremony will be held at 5:30pm on Saturday. George says new this year, with upcoming renovations to Coleman Hawkins Park, will be the character cottage
“Last year we built some little cottages, like a little Christmas village within the park, and this year Warner Portable Sheds donated a little red cottage and that’s where the characters will be that you can come get free pictures with,” George explains. “We’ll have Santa, we’ll have Buddy the Elf, we’ll have The Grinch.”
And the best part, according to Lilly, it’s all free.
“If you’re looking for something to bring your family out to and you’re not wanting to spend a whole bunch of money, maybe you want to come shop but you’re like well I don’t want to spend it on something else, well this is free,” Lilly says.
George says it’s all free thanks to businesses that sponsor the events
“Because we want you to come down and make some memories downtown and then save your money to spend at the shops and the restaurants,” George says.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.