Christmas in the City set for two days

“Christmas in the City” will transform the center of Sampson County into a winter wonderland to kick off December — and this year, the festivities will extend over two Thursdays.

The Clinton Main Street Program, along with the Clinton Christmas in the City Committee and volunteers, are busy making plans for upcoming “Christmas in the City” events on Thursday, Dec. 1, and Thursday, Dec. 8. The city will be hosting storytime with a local elf, carriage rides, hayrides, train rides, roasted chestnuts, food trucks, and a few visits from Santa himself during the two days.

“After what has been a difficult few years during the pandemic, we felt holding Christmas in the City on two separate nights would give citizens, and visitors several opportunities to participate in a variety of activities as well as do some of their Christmas shopping local in Downtown Clinton,” said Mary M. Rose, Clinton Planning director and Main Street director.

With so many small businesses and a variety of retail stores in downtown Clinton, Rose and others encouraged everyone to visit for their Christmas shopping this year. For those who need a break from shopping, there are also several restaurants — Christmas in the City seeks to offer an additional opportunity — two this year — to come downtown, see the Christmas decorations and visit their favorite stores.

Santa will be at his house on the courthouse square three Thursday evenings (Dec. 1, 8, and 15) beginning at 5:30 p.m. All other days we encourage children to write letters to Santa and drop them in his mailbox at his house on the courthouse square.

The Christmas in the City event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, with the Clinton Community Christmas Tree Lighting at the “Milling Around” art piece on the corner of College and Main Street. Mayor Lew Starling will be present to oversee the tree lighting, and Miss North Carolina Karolyn Martin will join him in kicking off the Christmas season.

“The Christmas in the City Committee’s number one goal is to assist the Clinton Main Street Program in making Downtown Clinton a Christmas destination. Excitement is growing about the possibility of SNOW at our tree lighting,” said Debbie Roberts,with Clinton Main Street Program Design Committee and Christmas in the City Committee.

Snow poured at last year’s event — albeit the fake stuff with the aid of a machine — serving to put attendees in the Christmas spirit. A decorating contest in and around the downtown has also adorned 83 downtown buildings with holiday splendor.

“We have a great group of volunteers which have put in many hours of decorating, fluffing Christmas trees, stringing lights, and getting so many ideas by watching Hallmark movies,” Kay Raynor, member of the Clinton Main Street Program Promotion Committee and Christmas in the City Committee .

“Never have we seen a small town decorated on this level,” Rose stated. “The storefronts will be decorated throughout the holiday season so visitors from near and far can come to experience this spectacular display of Christmas cheer.”

The winner of the Christmas Decorating Contest will be announced during the City of Clinton Annual Tree Lighting on Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the “Milling Around” public art piece.

Hubb’s Farm, Kyle’s Farm, Clinton Truck and Tractor are partnering with the city to again provide our hayrides from Main Street across from Annadale’s on Dec. 1. Participants are urged to bring a warm coat or blanket and climb onto a hayride at $3 per person. Carriage rides will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8, and are already sold out. All proceeds from the hayrides and carriage rides will be donated to the Sampson County History Museum.

“We are looking forward to once again being a partner on this wonderful holiday event! We will be participating by providing free barrel train rides, as well as bringing our larger train which can accommodate children and parents on Thursday, Dec. 1, with tickets at $2 each, and then teaming up with Kyle’s Farm to do hayrides as well,” said Tammy Peterson of Hubb’s Farm.

All activities this year will be located on the courthouse square.

The Christmas in the City Committee has also added activities each night, such as the Sampson Arts Council gingerbread decorating activity on Dec. 1, and children’s ornament making with Grace Methodist Church and ornament painting with artist, Megan Whichello on Dec. 8.

Another special activity, which Christmas in the City Committee member Vicky Mattocks has developed, is a Christmas Scavenger Hunt. Information about the scavenger hunt can be picked up at The Ultimate Gallery on Main Street beginning Dec. 1.

“The theme this year is the 12 days of Christmas, Clinton version of course,” Mattocks said. “The playing field will be the area and businesses around the Sampson County Courthouse. It is designed for young and old and we hope you will come out and accept the challenge during Christmas in the City.”

On both Thursdays, Ali the Elf will be having storytime on the courthouse steps on the Main Street side of the Sampson County Courthouse at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m..

There will be food trucks each evening in addition to Alfredo’s, Burney’s, Hwy 55, and Taqueria Romero’s being open for dinner.

“The Clinton Main Street Program cannot thank our Christmas in the City Committee, citizen volunteers, Public Works and Planning Department staff enough for all their hard work in making Christmas in the City such a special time this year for the City of Clinton,” said Beth Stewart, president of the Clinton Development Corporation and member of the Clinton Main Street Program’s Design Committee. “It truly takes a team effort to pull off the decorating and events.”

For more information, contact Betty Holland or Mary Rose at 910-299-4904.