Live Nativity scene to highlight events Saturday
The live Nativity exhibit will be featured in the Hoskins Park area in downtown Clinton again this year from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26.
Bishopville Baptist Church will again this year provide the live Nativity display from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Hoskins Park on Market Street.
Elements of the Nativity will include Paco the donkey, several sheep, and church members portraying the characters representing the birth of Jesus.
Coordinator Robin Jones said there will also be free hot cider and cookies served at a booth, and there will be another booth featuring Christmas crafts for children to make.
The living Nativity is back for its second year downtown, and its third year overall. In 2020, it was held in a vacant lot in the Tanner Place shopping center, now the site of a Dollar Tree store. Two other events will be taking place in downtown Clinton on Saturday: “Shop Small Saturday,” designed to boost small businesses on the busiest holiday shopping weekend of the year, and “A Clinton Christmas Stroll,” which takes place during the same evening hours as the Nativity.
Shop Small Saturday will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with downtown businesses open and ready for Christmas shopping as an alternative to the big box stores and their Black Friday promotions the day before. From 5 to 9 p.m., Historic Downtown Clinton presents A Clinton Christmas Stroll along Market Street, held in conjunction with the ceremonial first lighting of Clinton’s Christmas tree for the holiday season.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos with the kids as they read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in front of the downtown gazebo in the Maude Brown Park at Market Street and Freddie Fagan Way.
“You’ve never experienced a Christmas walking tour until you’ve experienced this one,” the Historic Downtown Clinton organization said in a release. “Join us as the city of Clinton lights the Christmas tree and we kick off the holiday season.
“Churches and music groups will provide the sounds of Christmas up and down our Historic District, and we’ll have seasonal drinks for kids and adults alike.”
Also featured will be a silent auction to benefit the Education Foundation. “We are so excited to have the Education Foundation involved with this event as well,” the Historic Downtown Clinton group said. “Each board member has put together a basket that will be available as silent auction items. These baskets make great gifts as you’re shopping for Christmas, and all funds go to the Education Foundation.”
Historic Downtown Clinton will have sweatshirts and newly designed Clinton Christmas ornaments for sale at the gazebo. For more information, contact Historic Downtown Clinton Program Director Katherine Birkbeck at 865-293-6367.