Christmas songs echoed through downtown streets, lights flashed, shoppers shopped and Columbia looked like a “scene from a Hallmark movie” Friday night as the annual Candlelight, Carols and Claus topped all expectations.
“It’s fantastic,” Janet Breakfield, owner of Jan Marie’s Upscale Flea Market, said. “We’ve had a huge turnout. It’s phenomenal. The weather is perfect, and people are really enjoying themselves. It’s also been good for business. We’ve had a 50 percent increase over previous events.”
At the opposite end of Main Street, Ann Cagle greeted customers at the grand opening of the Cagle Gallery, an art and antique gallery located in the Newsome Building.
“I’ve been in the antique business for years,” Cagle said. “My son James and his wife, Angie, recently bought this building, and I wanted to put my business here. I’ve had a gallery with my daughter in Hattiesburg.”
Cagle said she offers a variety of items including work by local artists.
“I’ve got paintings by Cheryl Gray, Lisa White and Carol Lee Breakfield,” she said. “I also have figurines by Sylvia Ferguson, a former Columbia resident.”
At the corner of Second and Main streets, Elmer Blanchard joined fellow members of The Church on Main as they served up food items.
“We’ve seen a lot of people,” he said. “Chicken on a stick and turkey legs are selling really well.”
Further down Main Street, Stacy Bass and her rescue dog, Nova, were helping attract attention to a booth from the Columbia Animal Shelter.
“We’ve had a lot of people stop by,” she said. “We just want to bring some awareness to the Animal Shelter, and this is a good place to do that.”
Mayor Justin McKenzie said the turnout was impressive.
“It was another great, very successful event downtown,” he said. “We’re very pleased with the crowds that came out. It was wonderful to see so many people looking at the lights and shopping downtown in our businesses.”
McKenzie said he greeted people from all around the region, even flagging down a bus from a church in Soso. He hopped aboard and thanked them for coming to visit.
The mayor said he hoped the holiday season would be a catalyst for future endeavors on Main Street, creating more demand for retail space and real estate.
Festivities continue this weekend with trolley rides to see the lights and the return of the Grinch Train.
Pictured Above: Ella Atkins sits with Santa and Mrs. Claus Friday night at Jan Marie’s during Candlelight, Carols and Claus. The event drew hundreds for fun and Christmas shopping. | Photo by Mark Rogers
