Many who have grown-up in Mahomet remember the community coming together downtown during Christmas. And the Mahomet Chamber of Commerce is ready to bring that joyous feel back to Main Street as they present Village Christmas December 5, 6 and 7.
“Growing up in Mahomet, I remember the Christmas Walk and how much fun it was and how it brought a lot of visitors downtown to enjoy the decorations and festivities and wanted to bring those memories back,” Chamber Administrative Director Theresa Berry said.
Berry helped State Farm Agent Darwyn Boston plan a similar event, Christmas Walk, last year. Downtown business extended their shopping hours and offered treats as carolers roamed downtown.
With a positive response from business owner last year, the Chamber decided to combine many popular Mahomet holiday traditions into one weekend so that residents did not feel torn throughout the holidays.
Village Christmas will kick-off December 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. along Main Street. Local business will extend their shopping hours while also offering holiday treats such as caramel corn, bottled sodas, hot cider and cookies.
“After last year, I heard from several downtown businesses that they were very excited about the community support and for some it was their best night of sales for the season,” Boston said. “This year, almost every downtown business is anxiously supporting.”
Boston purchased several small Christmas trees to line Main Street during the holiday season. He also donated a 10-foot tree in Russel Park. The Village of Mahomet will decorate the tree, and provide Village Christmas decorations downtown.
The Chamber will also set up shop in the Masonic Lodge with a Children’s Christmas Shop. Parents will be able to enjoy homemade ginger cookies and hot coffee while children browse through Christmas presents for their parents.All gifts in the Christmas Shop cost $5.
Paint Like Me and the Mahomet Daily have teamed to help children decorate ribbon ornaments at Village Christmas. Ornaments can be taken home to enjoy or children are welcome to display their ribbon on the community Christmas tree.
Santa will also be part of the event. He is scheduled to arrive on the Cornbelt Fire Department firetruck at 6:30 p.m. before parading down Main Street. Santa will stop at Russell Park to light the Christmas tree, then head to State Farm to take pictures with children.
The Mahomet-Seymour High School Madrigals, Mahomet Vineyard Church, Girl Scouts and Bark and Ride Transport will sing Christmas carols during the event.
Children will get to spend more time with Santa December 6 morning at Breakfast with Santa at Mahomet-Seymour High School from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Parents can take a picture their picture on Santa’s lap before playing games, getting a doughnut or exploring several local businesses.
Tickets for Breakfast with Santa, $3 for children or $1 for adults,are located at Mahomet banks or at the Mahomet Chamber of Commerce.
The Mahomet IGA will carry on the Samplings of the Season tradition on December 7 from 12 to 4 p.m. with a holiday wine sampling, a bourbon spoon roast, cookies and cakes.
The Chamber is also looking for businesses to participate in Light Up Mahomet. Businesses and organizations wishing to participate in the annual community decoration contest must have their decorations up by December 5, and contact Theresa Berry at 586-3156. The winner receives $100 Chamber bucks or a $100 donation to the charity of their choice.
