Downtown Macon event brings holiday cheer while promoting local businesses

Downtown Macon was bursting with the sights, sounds and tastes of the holidays Saturday.

People of all ages came out to experience Christmas in Downtown Macon, which lasted from 4-8 p.m. It was hosted by Main Street Macon,Just Tap'd in Macon and the Downtown Macon Community Association.

Just Tap'd started the holiday tradition in 2014, calling it Christmas on First Street. It's really grown since then, and a lot more businesses got involved for Saturday's event, said Kaitlynn Kressin, director of marketing for Just Tap'd and Ocmulgee Brewpub.

This is the first year that the event has included activities beyond First Street and throughout downtown, said Emily Hopkins, manager of Main Street Macon.

Gifts were for sale from about 20 vendors on First Street. In Rosa Parks Square, children played in artificial snow shooting out of the large Christmas tree, as live holiday music was performed behind them.

Sheryl Boman, of Macon, said she takes her daughter, nephew and two nieces to the event every year. Besides the snow a few years ago in Macon, the artificial snow at the event is the only flakes the kids get to see.

"They love the snow and hot chocolate," she said. "It's just something to do with family at Christmastime."

Just Tap'd offered free pictures with Santa, carolers sang holiday favorites on Cherry Street, and the Popular Street light show twinkled bright after the sun went down. Kressin said the light show has added a "really cool atmosphere" to the event.

The 567 Center for Renewal offered free hot chocolate and ornament decorating for $3, and Ocmulgee Brewpub had free cider and reindeer food crafts and played a Christmas movie at 8 p.m.

Ashley Prendergast, of Cochran, said the snow, food and Santa were reason enough to make the drive from her home in Cochran. She brought her two sons and her boyfriend's parents, and they planned to stay until about 8 p.m. and watch the light show.

In addition, the Downtown Macon Community Association had exhibits on Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and provided activities for kids in the alley by Fashion Avenue and the Rookery on Cherry Street, Hopkins said.

About 3,000 people indicated on Facebook that they planned to attend Christmas in Downtown Macon, Kressin said.

"I hope that it brings people downtown to experience new business and become regular (customers)," Kressin said.

The goal of the event is to help the downtown area continue to grow, which will be a good thing for everybody, she said. Hopkins hopes it will encourage people to shop downtown not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

There is a collaborative spirit between all the local businesses, and they're eager to partner to promote downtown Macon as a whole. Main Street Macon is trying to market the area as a family destination, not just a place for adults.

"For us, it was an opportunity to showcase what it's like to be downtown for Christmas," Hopkins said. "Our mission is to collaborate to bring life to downtown Macon."

This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Downtown Macon event brings holiday cheer while promoting local businesses."