The Downtown Clarkesville Christmas celebration attracted hundreds of visitors to the city’s historic square for a festive five-hour event on Saturday. Perfect weather set the stage for a heartwarming celebration of the holiday season, complete with local vendors, music, and plenty of Christmas cheer.
Around a dozen vendors lined the square, offering unique gifts for those looking to complete their holiday shopping. Attendees indulged in festive treats like funnel cakes and hot chocolate as they strolled through the square, enjoying live Christmas music from local acts Mat Fried, Challenger Music and The Jackie Papers.
One of the event’s most popular attractions was a free photo opportunity with a llama, which had both adults and children eagerly lining up for a picture. Santa Claus also made an appearance at the gazebo, offering free photographs to visitors of all ages.
A standout feature of this year’s celebration was the downtown business “cookie crawl.” For $5, eventgoers purchased cookie boxes that allowed them to visit participating businesses and collect free holiday treats. All proceeds from the cookie boxes benefit Clarkesville Main Street, a program dedicated to enhancing the city’s downtown area.
Last year, all 300 cookie boxes sold out in just over 30 minutes. However, this year, the demand appeared to be slightly lower, with several boxes still available an hour into the event. Clarkesville Main Street Director Colby Moore speculated that the SEC Championship football game, which saw the number five-ranked Georgia Bulldogs face off against the number two-ranked Texas Longhorns, may have affected attendance.
The festivities culminated at 6 p.m. when Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock led the countdown to illuminate the city’s Christmas tree, officially marking the start of the holiday season for the community.
The Downtown Clarkesville Christmas celebration was a festive success, bringing together locals and visitors for an evening of holiday cheer.
