Last year's Christmas off Main drew a large number of vendors and visitors to Thomson. Organizers are already hard at work on making this year's festival an even bigger success.
A group met on Wednesday, Aug. 18 to discuss details about the weekend festival scheduled for Dec. 3-5. Applications have already been received from crafters ready to show off their products, but more are needed.
"It's going well compared to last year because I don't think we even got our applications out by this time," said Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce Director Carolyn Gilbert. "My main concern right now is how to get the vendors there."
The event consists of several events on each day of the weekend. On Friday night Cookies with Santa will take place for the children. Everyone is invited to the Christmas tree lighting. Also, the antique mall will make its return, this time on Friday night.
The second annual Depot Dash five kilometer road race will take place on Saturday morning followed by the Festival off Main. The festival itself includes crafters, food and entertainment in downtown Thomson. Craft vendor booths cost $30 while a spot to sell food costs $50.
On Sunday afternoon, the event comes to a close with the "A Storybook Christmas" Parade. This year's fee to enter the parade has gone to $20 instead of $10 like the past few years.
Other changes to look for from last year's inaugural event will make the festival more visitor friendly, more organized and larger overall, according to Mrs. Gilbert. The chamber of commerce will have a hospitality tent where information and maps will be available.
"Last year was out first time. We're learning," Mrs. Gilbert said. "I want to see it reach its potential of being a big community event."
Anyone interested helping with the event is welcome. Call Mrs. Gilbert at the chamber of commerce office -- 597-1000 -- for more information.
