'Hometown Christmas' to Include Trolley Rides, Marshmallow Roasting

Many residents will likely be fully immersed in the Christmas season after tonight’s Christmas Parade through historic downtown.

Continuing the momentum of the holiday spirit, Cartersville Downtown Development Authority and Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce have partnered to present Hometown Christmas, set for Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Meant to encourage community residents to shop locally, both organizations have worked together to create a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors alike to enjoy shopping and dining in downtown Cartersville. Activities will include trolley rides, sponsored by Cartersville Medical Center; choral and dance performances; marshmallow roasting provided by Johnny Mitchell’s Smokehouse Express; photo opportunities with Santa; and much more.

 “The Chamber and DDA hope that we can restore some nostalgia for our quaint downtown through Hometown Christmas,” DDA Manager Tara Currier said in a release. “Many years ago, it was very common to shop at the local five and dime store, stop by the soda shop for a beverage, or hit the large department store located downtown when it came to holiday shopping. With so many options available today, including big box retailers, malls and online shopping, our hope is that people will get back to that notion of going downtown to purchase gifts for friends and family. We have so many wonderful stores – ranging from sporting goods, to home goods, to cookware, toys and clothes. Hopefully people will be drawn downtown on December 8 to check out these great stores and restaurants, but we have put together a great schedule of events and activities to help entice them even more to experience a “Hometown Christmas.”

Though the hours of many downtown shops and restaurants are extended beyond 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., those four hours are going to be filled with a variety of fun, holiday entertainment. The following is the schedule of events for Friendship Plaza:

• 11 a.m.: Hamilton Crossing Choral
• 11:30 a.m.: Fusion Dance
• Noon: Announcement of winners for the essay and coloring contests
• 12:30 p.m.: Cartersville School of Ballet
• 1 p.m.: Woodland High School C.A.T.S.
• 1:30 p.m.: Pumphouse Players
• 2 p.m.: South Central Middle School Band

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., marshmallow roasting will also be available in Friendship Plaza, sponsored by Johnny Mitchell’s Smokehouse Express, and free hot cocoa will be served courtesy of Downtown Development Authority. Beginning at noon, trolley rides, sponsored by Cartersville Medical Center, will be given throughout the downtown district, and Santa Claus will be available for photo opportunities (just bring your own camera). The trolley rides and photo opportunities with Santa will be available until 2 p.m.

Various stores will also be providing various activities or incentives for customers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The newly-opened Asbury Station, located under the bridge, will offer free face painting in their store; Meg Pie will have samples of some of their popular dip mixes; and Downtown Gallery will be giving a 10 percent discount on all prints purchased.

The Chamber of Commerce is also excited to welcome LifeSong Montessori, which will be providing a fun activity for kids.

"Hometown Christmas is sure to be an exciting day for the entire family, and the Chamber of Commerce and DDA hope that in addition to enjoying the array of great activities and events, residents will "Buy Bartow" this Christmas season," according to the press release. "After all, it is the small businesses throughout our community that make up the backbone of Bartow County, not only employing our friends, neighbors and family, but also supporting our local school systems, nonprofits and sporting teams throughout the year."

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