Valdosta Main Street’s Holiday Open House on Dec. 7 will showcase the unique and magical fun and flare of Downtown Valdosta. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the first of three breakfast events with Santa and ending with the traditional Greater Valdosta Community Christmas Parade, the Holiday Open House will once again have something for Valdostans of all ages.

Downtown Valdosta is inviting everyone to come and enjoy the one-of-a-kind restaurants and specialty shops located in the downtown area as well as offering fun options for citizens to enjoy the day.

“The Holiday Open House gives us a great opportunity to focus on the variety of goods and services offered by our unique downtown businesses,” said Valdosta Main Street Manager Amanda Peacock. “Main Street invites our faithful patrons, as well as all area visitors, to celebrate this festive time together as a community.”

Downtown Merchants will be participating in a Window Decorating Contest. Winners will be selected and announced during the Christmas parade.

In addition to the variety of restaurants and specialty shops open all day, activities going on during the Holiday Open House are as follows:

• Breakfast with Santa at the Bleu Cafe will take place at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Call Bleu Café at (229) 244-2248 for reservations.
• A Kids Play area complete with bounce houses and a “snow” zone.
• Musical entertainment is scheduled throughout the day.
• A cruise in by the South Georgia Classic Car Club will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• Pet adoptions will be available on the Courthouse Lawn.
• First Presbyterian Church will host a Bazaar and Bake Sale. Call (229) 242-8376 for more information.
• The Camellia Show at First United Methodist Church will be open to the public from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Call (229) 242-6416 for more information.

Visits and photo opportunities with Santa will begin at 11 a.m. on the front lawn of the historic Lowndes County Courthouse.
The WinterFest 5K Run/Walk will begin at 4:30 p.m., prior to the Christmas Parade. The WinterFest 5K is sponsored and organized by A Course/Line—Finish Line Service. The race route will begin at the Winn Dixie parking lot, at 3200 N. Ashley Street, proceed down N. Patterson Street, and finish in Downtown Valdosta in front of Bennie’s Alley. Call (229) 219-0010, or visit www.runningintheusa.com for a race application.
The Greater Valdosta Community Christmas Parade—one of Valdosta’s most popular holiday traditions—will begin at 5 p.m., at Woodrow Wilson Drive, proceed down N. Patterson Street, and end at the Bank of America Building. This year’s parade theme is “Inside Santa’s Workshop.” Creative holiday floats will be judged on overall appearance, special effects, creativity, workmanship and use of the theme.

Some streets will be closed downtown during the celebration. Central Avenue and Valley Street, between Patterson and Ashley Streets, will be closed from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. North Patterson Street, beginning at Woodrow Wilson Drive through Hill Avenue will be closed for the 5K race and the Christmas parade. The city urges all motorists and pedestrians to be extra cautious during the busy festivities. The city offers the following parking options for citizens to consider:

• Toombs Street parking lot has several dozen parking spaces.
• Ample parking is available in the McKey Street parking lot, located on E. Central Avenue, across from the Valdosta City Hall.
• Public parking lots are also available on Savannah Avenue, between Lee and N. Oak Streets.
• Following the Greater Valdosta Community Christmas Parade, the reopening of N. Patterson Street will once again open up these street parking options to downtown patrons.

For more information on any of these activities, call (229) 259-3577 or visit www.valdostamainstreet.com.