Ben Estlack

Small Town Christmas was a huge success last Saturday, November 30, with big crowds turning out for activities downtown and supporting local merchants on Small Business Saturday.

Event organizer Denise Bertrand said she has received many compliments and “only three complaints,” and she considers that a success.

“We were planning to meet in January to decide if we want to do it again next year,” Bertrand said, “but now we’re meeting in January just to talk about what to improve.”

More food vendors will be one thing to add, she said, but other than that, most activities seemed to be successful.

At the courthouse, Lions served 300 cups of hot chocolate, and Santa handed out about 150 stocking gifts to kids, with the line to see the Jolly Old Elf stretching out to the street.

Over on Kearney Street, Santa’s Play House proved to be a big hit with the youngsters, and several people commented on how nice it was to have holiday music playing up and down the main street.

Vendor booths were set up in the parking area between the Crossties Ministry Center and the Masonic Lodge Hall, with some booths also set up in the lodge dining room.

A scavenger hunt earlier in the evening drew six teams with first place going to the Burrow Clan, second place going to the Reindeer Rebels, Team Rudolph taking third place, and Little Ones clenching fourth place. A total of $540 in Chamber Cash was given out in that contest, sponsored by Jacob Fangman, Floyd’s Automotive, Every Nook & Cranny, Vape Time, and Broken Road Liquor Store.

Clarendon Family Medicine and Clarendon Dental Associates sponsored the Ugly Christmas Sweater and Gingerbread House competitions with $450 in Chamber Cash. Ugly Sweater winners were Annette Osburn, first; Lisa Heald, second; and Linda Pankey, third. Gingerbread House winners were Danyale Naylor, first; Tobias Truex, second; and Emery Truex, third.

Also last weekend, a benefit movie at the Mulkey Theatre collected $790 in donations for the Donley County Community Fund during a special presentation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Bertrand’s committee was also successful in drawing in new community volunteers and overall improved the appearance of downtown with workdays dedicated to cleaning windows, especially on vacant storefronts.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department was kept busy Saturday evening in the midst of the celebrations downtown.

Shortly after the festivities began on the Courthouse Square, a call went out to house fire on Collinson Street at the Regina Wootten residence.

Items set on the stovetop caught fire and were discovered by the owner, who put out the fire but called 911 to make sure the fire was out and because of all the smoke in the home.

Later that evening, an electrical fire broke out in the home of the late Lucy Saye on Wood Avenue. Tim Saye discovered the blaze at the back of the house and called 911. Firemen responded quickly, and damage was contained to the immediate area where the blaze started. The house was heavily smoked but was saved from major damage.

Local merchants and the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will make shopping at home pay off during Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.

The third annual “Shop Small” promotion from the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will put a grand total of $550 in Chamber Christmas Cash in the hands of lucky winners who shop with local merchants.

Sign-ups at participating merchants will begin Friday, November 29, for drawings that will be held for $100 each Friday on December 6, 13, and 20.

To enter, shoppers will fill out an entry at local participating merchants. The Chamber will gather them up each Friday morning, and hold the drawings live on the Chamber’s Facebook.

Enter as many times as you shop locally, so shop often. Entries stay in the hopper each week, so those who enter will have multiple chances of winning.

Those merchants participating are: Amanda’s Country Soaps, Broken Road Liquor, Broiller’s Auto Parts, Clarendon Outpost, Cornell’s Country Store, Country Bloomers Flowers, Courtney D’Costa Scentsy, Every Nook & Cranny, Floatin’ T Boutique, Floyd’s Automotive, Henson’s, Garrison’s, J&W Lumber, Lowe’s Family Center, Monroe’s Peach Ranch, Mulkey Theatre, Mike’s Pharmancy, Ramblin’ Ranch Boutique, REFZ Sports Bar & Grill, Whistle Stop, and Wicked Fast Attire.

Other Chamber members wishing to participate can call the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

The Chamber will also hold a bonus drawing for $250 in Chamber Christmas Cash on December 20. Sign-up for the bonus drawing will be held starting December 2 at the Clarendon Visitor Center. Shoppers can bring their receipts and receive one entry for every $25 spent at the participating merchants.

Several downtown merchants are also making plans to stay open for Late Night Shopping on Thursdays, December 5, 12, and 19, until 8 p.m. That list is still being finalized, but merchants do plan to draw for prizes during those Thursday nights.

Visit the Chamber’s Facebook page or ClarendonTX.com/Christmas for more details on which businesses will be open this weekend.

Shop at home this holiday season and remember the important role your local merchants play in keeping your community strong. Support the businesses who support your town