By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
With Thanksgiving in the rear-view window, downtown St. Joseph is turning its attention to Christmas as the holiday spirit comes alive this weekend.
Filmmaker Jason Hudson says year after year they see many of the same families come downtown for Christmas making it a tradition for many.
"For St. Joe residents to come out and participate, just like it is to see the lights down at Krug Park, a lot of families are making it a holiday tradition to come and see Santa, see the festivities downtown, and make it a part of their family tradition each year," Hudson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.
Downtown Liaison for Mosaic Life Care Christy George says the special part about many of the event's downtown is that they are free.
"The carriage rides are free, we just encourage that while you're downtown that you visit all of the shops and merchants because those local businesses really depend on your local dollars and shopping local," George says. "So, most of the events that are downtown are free."
The festivities begin tomorrow with the annual lighting ceremony, where new Police Chief Paul Luster will flip the switch, starting at 5:30pm.
It's also Small Business Saturday featuring several specials at shops and restaurants.
George says one more unique feature of the festivities downtown will be several pop-up shops.
"A lot of the pop-up shops are local merchants who don't have an official brick and mortar but are crafting and ready to sell," George explains. "I know last year we had a lot of handmade jewelry, handmade candles, there was a sign making girl that I saw everybody coming out with these handmade signs that she made."
The pop-up shops will be in the downtown concession building next to Coleman Hawkins Park every Saturday until December 23rd.