The Christmas season will start in a big way in Clarendon this weekend with merchant sales, the lighting of the Courthouse, and the third annual Chili Challenge.
Local merchants are ready to help you find something for everyone on your Christmas list with their Black Friday and Small Business Saturday specials on November 27 and 28. Details on local sales were printed in the Holiday Gift Guide included in last week’s Clarendon Enterprise and now available at ClarendonLive.com.
Small Business Saturday began in 2010 when American Express founded it to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
According to small business advocates, every $100 spent in locally-owned stores returns $68 to the local community through taxes, payrolls, and other expenditures. That same money spent in another town returns nothing to your local community.
Saturday’s highlight will be the second annual Courthouse Lighting Celebration, beginning at 5 p.m. with an appearance by Santa Claus and caroling featuring local children’s groups. The formal lighting will be at 6 p.m.
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to visit local merchants following the Courthouse Lighting to close out Small Business Saturday and participate in the third annual Great Bowls of Fire Chili Challenge with a chance to win $250 in Clarendon Cash.
Chili Challenge ballots and a list of participating merchants will be available for $5 each from the Clarendon Visitor Center at Mulkey Theatre immediately following the Courthouse Lighting. Chili tasters then visit each of the participating merchants to sample the chili in their stores, have their ballot stamped, and cast vote for their favorite chili. The merchant with the most votes will get bragging rights and a handsome plaque, and the ballot of one lucky taster will receive $250 in Clarendon Cash from the Chamber.
Also on Saturday night, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will hold a soup dinner at the Clarendon Lions Hall for $5 per person featuring homemade chicken noodle or potato soup and regular or jalapeno cornbread.
Shop at home this holiday season and remember the important role your local merchants play in keeping your community strong.
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