CHRISTMAS SEASON BEGINS
Main Street Gray is hosting a Hometown Christmas Market in downtown Gray Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to give families a chance to make holiday memories, shop, relax, support local businesses, and enjoy the holiday season.
Ashley Roberson, Main Street Gray Director, said she’s excited about the event. She said she’s been trying to get the word out about the Hometown Christmas Market as much as possible.
“We are having a Hometown Christmas Market, so we are shutting down the street from the Main Street office to the Jones County Courthouse,” she said. “So far, we have 42 arts and craft vendors who will be here along the street and 15 in Butler Hall, then eight food vendors. It’s going to be a lot of fun, so we hope to see people out that day.”
The director said there will be a stage set up nearby for music provided by Music Medix, and Santa Claus will be there all day set up in front of the Main Street office.
A photographer will be taking digital photos for $10 with Santa Claus.
She said that day is also Small Business Saturday.
A lot of the businesses in downtown Gray will be participating, so people should stop in those shops.
“We named it Hometown Christmas Market, because we have this sweet little hometown, and this is a need for Jones County. This is something we need, because it means people won’t have to go to Macon for the big festivals. This keeps things local, and it’s a great time after Thanksgiving to kick off Christmas,” Roberson said.
The director said in front of the Main Street office they have put up a 14-foot Christmas tree, and at the end of the event they will be doing a Christmas tree lighting.
She said that will happen closer to 6 p.m.
“Come out and shop.
Get some Christmas decor and get some Christmas shopping out of the way for gifts. You can also enjoy some good food if you don’t want to shop, because we will have tables and chairs set out for that purpose,” she said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun, and it highlights our local businesses. It gives meaning to downtown Gray.” Roberson said the Hometown Christmas Market event is a great way to kick off the Christmas season. She said she’s been planning the event since about March, and she’s excited.
She said she’s excited about the shopping, since several of the vendors have some unique items.
“People should shop local this Christmas, because it keeps money in our community. It keeps our businesses thriving, and they need our support,” she said.
“We had a great turnout for the trunk-or-treat event, so we want to see people out for this, too.
It’s a great way to spend time with family making memories, and maybe even find some unique gifts.”
