The annual Light Up Downtown celebration in North Wilkesboro drew a record crowd Friday as music, dancing and Santa Claus added to the opening holiday festivity.
''We're estimating 3,000-4,000 people were there for the whole festival,'' said Laura Blackburn, executive director for Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro, which sponsors the festival every year on the Friday before Thanksgiving Day. ''We've had between 1,500 to 2,000 people in years past, so we think it was a huge success.''
This year's festival added a parade of emergency vehicles from area fire and police departments, as well as a gift shop.
''The new additions this year were a huge hit,'' Mrs. Blackburn said. ''Many participated in the extra activities.''
Emergency vehicles lined a length of Main Street to display their vehicles. Participating departments included: Boomer Fire Department, Champion Fire Department, Cricket Fire Department, Millers Creek Fire Department, Moravian Falls Fire Department, Mountain View Fire Department, North Wilkesboro Fire Department, Shepherds Crossroads Fire Department, Sugarloaf Fire Department, Traphill Fire Department, Wilbar Fire Department, Wilkesboro Fire Department, Wilkes-Iredell Fire Department, Wilkes County Emergency Medical Service, North Wilkesboro Police Department, Wilkesboro Police Department and N.C. State Highway Patrol.
Santa's Gift Shop was open in the office of Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro for children to select gifts for friends and family. The gift shop was sponsored by the Cricket Fire Department; Randy and Jo Bell, in memory of their son, Bradley Bell; Dr. Brad Shinaman; Melody Square stores; the Dollar General on N.C. 18; and several downtown businesses.
A line of children and their parents extended from Wilkes Towers lobby into the street, waiting for an opportunity to talk to Santa Claus. Children were lined up as early as 5 p.m. for the event, which featured Art Ballenger as Santa Claus.
Smart Start hosted Santa's Reindeer Land at the Wilkes Art Gallery on C Street. The event featured Mrs. Claus reading to children, who streamed into the basement of the gallery. Children had the opportunity to have their faces painted as reindeers with antlers, as well.
The festival also featured downtown businesses hosting ''Reindeer Shops'' which told parts of a progressive story about Santa's reindeer. Participating merchants included: Brame's Lunch Counter, Cherished Memories Photography, Gallery 3 Fifteen, Hallmark/QuickFrame, Michael's Jewelry, MoxiCopy, R.W. Dillon's Jewelry, Tarheel Sports and Collectibles, Stone Photography at 819 Main Street, and Wilkes County Public Library.
Hayrides were available courtesy of Blue Ridge Tractor at the Wilkes Public Library's parking lot on 10th Street, and guests rode around downtown to view the Christmas lights and decorations.
Performers were at two stages for the festival. The Ninth Street Stage performers included: Wilkes County Line Dancers and Foothills Cloggers, Tonya's Academy of Dance, Bobby Billings, North Wilkes Northlanders, Studio 68 Dance, West Wilkes Chorus, Wilkes County Home School Choir and Matt Bizzell. Melody Square Stage acts included: Maurice's Fashion Show, Victory Lane Cloggers, and The Dance Company. Various performing groups on Main Street included: Cub Creek Handbell Choir at City Florist, Wilkes Central Brass Quintet at Branciforte's Italian Ristorante, and live music at Key City Grille.
Downtown merchants decorated windows for a contest, judged by the local volunteers. Judges were North Wilkesboro commissioner Jeffery Elmore, Cathy McKenzie and Mary Ellen Mikell. The winner for Best Use of Theme was Ivy Ridge Traditions for ''A Storybook Christmas.'' The winner for Most Attractive was Michael's Jewelry; winner for Most Creative was the Wilkes County Public Library; and the winner for People's Choice, as voted by the festival-goers in HDTNW offices, was Stone Photography. Honorable mention awards were given to Brame's Lunch Counter and J.R. Priester's.
More than 20 food and merchandise vendors lined Main Street. ''The number of vendors picked up from last year,'' Mrs. Blackburn said. ''They all reported great sales and were very happy with the beautiful weather.''
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Wilkes County Cruisers
