Downtown draws crowd during annual weekend Christmas Open House
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Marge Hodge of Knoxville checks out a decorated tree in the Burrville antiques shop on Market Street during last Saturday’s Christmas Open House event by the down- town merchants. - G Chambers Williams III
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Billie Dawes, a retired Norris teacher, checks out the cookies at Historic Clinton Antiques during last Saturday’s Christmas Open House event in downtown Clinton. - G Chambers Williams III
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Gayle Ingle, left, and Jo Christopher look over some Christmas-themed merchandise at Joy in the Dawn on Market Street last Saturday during the Christmas Open House event. - G Chambers Williams III
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Pat McDonald, left, and Barbara Gardner of Oak Ridge look over the Christmas-themed window display at Fine Things Antiques & Decor on Market Street during last Saturday’s Christmas Open House, put on by the Historic Downtown Clinton Merchants Association. - G Chambers Williams III
Friday and Saturday were busy Friday and Saturday for downtown Clinton businesses as they kicked off the 2023 holiday season with the annual Christmas Open House.
There was a steady stream of visitors on both days, including many from outside the local area, as merchants had holiday merchandise on display on sidewalk tables and throughout their stores.
Christmas decorations were in view all over downtown, inside and outside the various stores. Visitors strolled the streets in pairs and groups, many pushing babies in strollers and leading toddlers by the hand.
Ron Martin, co-owner of Historic Clinton Antiques on Market Street, said his store was busy all day Saturday, and that he was pleased with the turnout.
Martin also is president of the Historic Downtown Clinton Merchants Association, which sponsored the event.
The downtown merchants have another Christmas event planned for Saturday, Dec. 9.
On that day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the merchants will hold their Holiday Market, which includes the brick-and-mortar stores, along with street vendors, food trucks and more.
Also that Saturday, from 1-4 p.m., the merchants will sponsor the annual Cookie Crawl, featuring free cookies and other refreshments in the stores, along with visits from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and The Grinch.
Separately, the Historic Downtown Clinton group, which is not affiliated with the Merchants Association, will sponsor the annual Clinton Christmas Parade, which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2.
The parade will pass through the city’s historic district, and will begin at 6 p.m.
