Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2009 9:13 am

With the arrival of the holidays, Tennessee Main Street communities across the state are hanging their garland and dusting off their tree-toppers. Tennessee Main Street Programs are hosting multiple holiday events to support the downtown districts of communities across the state.

“Our Main Street Communities recognize the importance of promoting local partnership and investment, and I applaud their efforts,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “Celebrating the holiday season in your own community is not only a rewarding way to connect with your historic downtown district, but also a substantial catalyst for the local economy. I appreciate the commitment of communities across the state to spreading that message."

“Main Street Program holiday celebrations are an important part of community-building,” said Kimberly Nyberg, ECD Main Street director. “Many of our historic downtowns have an assortment of specialty goods and services, from candy stores to that one-of-a-kind art piece. I encourage you to spend your dollars locally and support your downtown merchants and businesses this holiday season.”

Main Street revitalization is a comprehensive, incremental, self-help economic strategy that also focuses on developing public-private partnerships to enhance community livability and job creation, while maintaining the historic character of the district.

Tennessee’s Main Street program provides communities with technical assistance and guidance in developing long-term strategies that promote economic growth and development. The program provides information and assistance in forging public networking and training opportunities for downtown commercial districts.

Many of the Holiday Main Street events throughout the state are listed below. For more listings, please visit: http://tn.gov/ecd/mainstreetholidays.pdf.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tnecd.gov.



A Sampling of Main Street Holiday Events

Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
Believe in Bristol
Event: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Place: Cumberland Square Park Intersection in Bristol, Virginia
Time: 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
Main Street Union City
Event: Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Place: Downtown Union City

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009
Crossroads Partnership/City of Morristown
Event: Christmas in the City: Lighting of the Tree
Place: Morristown City Center (Rotunda and Plaza)
Time: 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009
Believe in Bristol
Event: Annual Christmas Parade
Place: Downtown Bristol
Time: 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009
Crossroads Partnership/City of Morristown
Event: “Candyland Christmas” Parade
Place: Downtown Morristown
Time: 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009
Main Street Cleveland
Event: Carols in the City and Community Tree Lighting
Place: Downtown Cleveland
Time: 6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009
Main Street Greeneville
Event: “Christmas in Downtown – A Holiday Celebration”
Place: Downtown Greeneville
Time: 5:15 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009
Tiptonville Main Street
Event: Christmas by Candlelight
Place: Main Street Centre in Tiptonville
Time: 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
Main Street Cleveland
Event: Annual Christmas Parade
Place: Historic Downtown Cleveland
Time: 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
MainStreet Dayton
Event: Christmas in Downtown Dayton
Place: Downtown Dayton
Time: 10 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 7, 2009
Columbia Main Street
Event: Christmas Parade
Place: Historic Downtown Columbia
Time: 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009
Main Street Collierville
Event: Magic on Main Street Movie Night
Place: Confederate Park in Collierville
Time: 5 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13, 2009
Downtown Franklin Association
Event: Dickens of a Christmas
Place: Historic Downtown Franklin
Time: 10 a.m. on Dec. 12 and noon on Dec. 13

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009
Main Street Murfreesboro
Event: Annual Christmas Parade
Place: Historic Downtown Murfreesboro
Time: 1 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009
Jackson Downtown Development Corp.
Event: Milk & Cookies with Santa Depot
Place: NC & St L Depot and Railroad Museum
Time: 10 a.m.