The holidays are coming. It’s in the air. While daytime temperatures still show summer is still fighting for its grip with the heat, once the sun goes down and before it comes back up, cooler temps are starting to appear.
It is the time of year where we see a menagerie of decorations, some with Halloween, some for autumn and Thanksgiving and, of course, Christmas.
I was one of the thousands of people who was amazed and delighted to no end of the Christmas spectacular celebration that was held last year. I’ll admit I was like a little child watching downtown light up after the parade, totally mesmerized. In fact I still get goosebumps thinking about how downtown lit up like it did. Several things jumped out at me about last year’s celebration which is why I’m hoping we can have a repeat this year.
One, for the first time since I have lived in Marion County, people of all ages, race and classes were very proud of Columbia. Especially December social media blew up with everyone talking about how great this celebration was. Day after day, week after week people kept coming back and because we shared our celebration on social media over and over it drew people here from other places as well to see such an amazing event.
Second, people connected with each other. Main Street, Courthouse Square and Second Street were all somewhat partitioned off so everyone could enjoy the festive atmosphere of downtown. Friday nights were not spent just sitting at home playing on electronics while kids are in their rooms doing the same thing. Everyone was downtown actually being social with people, enjoying talking. Hugs flowed freely and so did the laughter. The sole purposes of the cellphone while downtown was to take pictures or call and ask where somebody was.
Third, it brought a lot of attention to our downtown stores. I personally went into a couple of stores that I have never been in before and made purchases. My husband even got me a Christmas present at one of the stores. I have since gone back, and I have made more purchases. Talking to some of the store owners this week they too have said their sales were great in December and since have had some repeat customers that never have been in the store before last December.
As a Hallmark movie addict, not even a Hallmark Christmas movie had anything close to what we got to enjoy, feel and experience.
However, one thing I do know, something that dynamic is not cheap to put on. The expense of the technology, lights, decorations, manpower, equipment and everything else I’m sure went a lot higher than most people realized.
I was not in the meetings regarding the 3 percent tourism tax, but I feel certain talk of the Christmas celebration was included with the sportsplex. No I do not live in the city but in the county, but I am perfectly fine paying the extra 3 percent because I want to see celebrations like we had last year again, and I want to see the sportsplex come to fruition. I’m for both.
The city has put out a Request for Proposals regarding holidays entertainment. As explained in the meeting where four of the aldermen approved publishing the Request for Proposals, nothing had to be accepted and the city could pick and choose what it is willing to do. I hope the city will do something to allow a Christmas celebration to happen again. It is good for the tourism tax, the city, local businesses and good for families.
It is a great evangelism tool as well. If someone wants to know why we go crazy over Christmas, it’s the perfect time to share celebrating the birth of Christ.
Driving through the neighborhoods in the city and throughout the county, “For Sale” signs are everywhere. Let’s hope the city will allow this awesome event and more events like this, in the future, to make Columbia and Marion County a place people want to move to instead of leave.
Reach Managing Editor Susan Amundson at samundson@columbianprogress.com.
