About 4,000 people attended Clayton’s Christmas Village & Tree Lighting on Thursday night in downtown. The weather was perfect with a near full moon rising in the eastern sky. They came for the tree lighting which concluded the evenings activities, but also to visit more than 25 businesses that were open with special treats and activities; the live nativity, and enjoy the entertainment that included dance performances, choruses from area elementary schools, hand bell choir, and jazz band.
Celebrity Guest host Melanie Sanders, NBC-17 news anchor, was escorted by Ed Knight, President, Downtown Development Association, through the crowded downtown streets visiting the businesses and helping judge the Doggie Christmas Costume Contest (& Parade). Ms. Sanders also hung out with Santa Claus, and along with Mayor Jody McLeod, the trio followed the Clayton High School Marching Band from Lombard & Main to the Town Square in a horse-drawn carriage.
Mr. Knight welcomed the audience to the Tree Lighting Ceremony and introduced the Mayor, Ms. Sanders and Santa Claus as they departed the carriage in front of the stage. Once on-stage, Mayor McLeod sang “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which can be viewed by visiting www.downtownclayton.org.
The Storefront Decorating Contest winners were also announced and brought to the stage to receive a plaque which will be displayed in their businesses for the next year. The winners are:
Best Overall – Signage of the Carolinas, 218 W Main Street
Most Traditional – North Carolina Paper Company, 114 W Main Street
Most Creative – Awards & Engravables, 327 E Main Street
The Grinch Award was given to Hair on Main, 401 E Main Street for having no decorations!
At about 8:35, Mayor McLeod, MS. Sanders, and Santa Claus led the crowd in the count-down to light the tree and then the Clayton High School Chorus performed several selections to close the evening.
About 30 dogs participated in the Doggie Christmas Costume Contest, organized by Doggie Do’z (113 E First Street). Photos of the parade, entrants and winners can be viewed at www.downtownclayton.org. The results for 2009:
First Place: Buzz, a Welsh Terrier owned by Sarah Hale
Second Place: Halo, a Chihuahua owned by Susan Moore
Third Place: Oliver, a Yorkshire Terrier owned by Faye Lankford
The 2010 Christmas Village & Tree Lighting takes place on December 2.
1 comment:
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