Cold winter rain caused Santa to cancel his December 7 appearance in downtown Atmore, but the Jolly Old Elf will make up for that absence this Thursday, December 14, when Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce presents its belated Santa on Main event.
Brandy Giger, the local Chamber’s president-elect, said this week that the rescheduled Santa on Main, which begins at 4 p.m. and continues until 7 p.m., would include everything initially advertised.
“We’re going to have everything that we originally listed on our flyer,” Giger said. “We’ll have the horse and carriage rides; people can still get their picture taken with Santa, and a lot of businesses on Main and Ridgeley streets will have extended shopping hours.”
Photos will be taken by Maggie Stabler and will commence after the horse and carriage drop Saint Nick off at the alley next to Home Style Furniture on South Main around 4:30 p.m., she pointed out. There will be several photo packages available, and prices will vary.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to walk the downtown streets or take a carriage ride from The Yellow Garden (formerly Coley Petals and Parties) at 301 North Main Street, to Church Street to visit downtown shops and boutiques. There is no charge for the rides.
The holiday event will also include free coffee, hot cocoa and chili at locations along Ridgeley Street, which will be closed to traffic. A Pepsi booth will also be set up.
Free Christmas movies, including free popcorn, will be shown in the historic Strand Theatre; special holiday music will be provided, and there will be free crafts for children. Gift-wrapping, at $2 per package, will be available at the Chamber’s South Main Street headquarters.
The incoming Chamber president encouraged everyone to come downtown and enjoy the special pre-Christmas event.
“This is a time for music, local shopping, kids crafts, taking pictures with Santa and having a jolly good time,” she said.