Plans for “Christmas in Clarendon” next Saturday, December 12, have gotten a lot busier since Mother Nature derailed several activities here last week.
Freezing rain and icy conditions starting Thanksgiving night led to low attendance at Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales as well as the eventual postponement of Saturday evening’s Courthouse Lighting Ceremony, Chamber of Commerce Chili Challenge, and VFW Ladies Auxiliary’s Soup Dinner.
All three of those events have now been rescheduled to coincide with the Chamber’s third annual bazaar billed as “Christmas in Clarendon” next Saturday, December 12.
Some details were still being finalized as the Enterprise went to press this week, but the Christmas Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday with specials at participating local merchants and vendors set up in the Arena of Life Cowboy Church on Kearney Street and other locations downtown.
Santa Claus will make an appearance during the day and be available for pictures with kids, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church will have lunch and concessions available in the Masonic Lodge Dining Hall.
Booth spaces for vendors are still available by contacting Bonnie Campbell at the Clarendon Visitor Center at 874-2421 or on her cell at 205-3150.
The Chamber invites everyone to visit merchants and vendors during the day, and also encourages everyone to 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 Visitor Center at Mulkey Theatre during the day December 12, and the Challenge will run from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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 be drawn to receive $250 in Clarendon Cash from the Chamber.
The highlight of the evening 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.
Following the lighting, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will hold a soup and stew dinner at the Clarendon Lions Hall for $5 per person featuring homemade chicken noodle soup, potato soup, or stew 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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