HOLIDAY SEASON
The second annual Hometown Christmas Market will be held Nov. 25 starting at 10 a.m. in downtown Gray, kicking off the holiday season with local shopping.
Ashley Roberson, the Main Street Gray director, said she’s excited about the event. She said people should come out to shop, relax and enjoy the holiday season with their families.
“This will be our second Hometown Christmas Market here in downtown Gray, and it’s on Nov. 25, the Saturday after Thanksgiving,” she said. “It’s a great kickoff to the holiday season, and it gives our small businesses some recognition. We want people to visit our downtown businesses while visiting the vendors.”
She said there will be at least 62 vendors outside and 20 inside Butler Hall. She said it’s about double the number of vendors from last year, so the event has grown. She said there are at least 11 food trucks.
“Santa will be at MainStreet Station like last year, and we will have the Grinch walking around to take pictures with too. The Christmas tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. in front of the MainStreet Station. The Jones County High School wrestling team will also have a wrestling match after the Christmas tree lighting,” Roberson said.
The director said the small business aspect of the Hometown Christmas Market is really important, because it draws business to Gray. She said she hopes people will shop local before they shop at the bigger stores. She said Jones County needs the support.
Roberson said vendors will be selling items such as honey, clothing, cups, signs, handprint ornaments for children, charcuterie boxes, desserts, handmade dog bandanas, other pet items, handmade ornaments, and much more. She said there will be something for everyone.
“It’s a great time to get some early Christmas shopping done, and a lot of it is very unique and custom. I know I will be excited to shop,” the director said. “People should come out and enjoy having something like this in Gray.
“There are so many other events happening around this time of year, but they aren’t in our little town.”
She said a lot of the vendors are from Jones County and local to the area. She said she enjoys meeting the local vendors to see the unique items they come up with. She said she can’t wait to see everyone out at the Hometown Christmas Market.
“I think my favorite thing about this year will be the shopping and seeing everything. I’m also excited to have Santa come again this year to ask children what they want for Christmas,” she said. “I really think the Hometown Christmas Market is a great way to get Jones County into the holiday spirit.”
