Staff Report
WARSAW — Downtown Warsaw is organizing a bountiful lineup of pre-Christmas activities this year.
Main Street Warsaw announced All is Bright, a month-long Downtown Christmas Celebration, sponsored by 1st Source Bank, will begin on Friday.
All Is Bright will focus on shopping local for Christmas and will feature several events and activities, including carolers, Christmas tree sales in the City Hall parking lot, a Downtown Christmas Market, gift wrapping services and Santa Claus at the Gathering Place.
On certain nights, the downtown will be lit up with luminary walks, and offer extended shopping hours.
Start the holiday season off by shopping, dining and celebrating downtown and continue throughout the season. By doing so, you will have the opportunity to win gift certificates and Kosciusko Cash while reveling in Downtown Warsaw’s holiday atmosphere and helping local charities.
Additional All is Bright supporters include Alderfer Bergen & Co, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, Forte Residential & Home Health Care and Kensington Digital Media, according to a news release from Main Street Warsaw.
During All is Bright, Main Street Warsaw and over 30 downtown merchants will be offering the All Is Bright Customer Reward Program starting on Friday and running through Dec. 23.
When customers visit a downtown business, they can text the word “Warsaw” to 574-313-5775 to receive directions on how to be entered to win weekly gift certificates and a grand prize of $500 Kosciusko Cash and $1,500 in gift certificates from participating businesses.
“Main Street Warsaw is thrilled to bring the All is Bright Downtown Christmas celebration to Downtown Warsaw this year! This event is a fantastic opportunity to promote shopping local and support our amazing small businesses throughout the entire month of December.
We invite everyone to come out, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and discover unique gifts while experiencing the charm of our downtown” said Main Street Warsaw Downtown Development Director Terry Sweeney.
1st Source Bank Warsaw City President Doug Hanes said, “1st Source Bank is excited to be the presenting sponsor of the All Is Bright Downtown Christmas Celebration. We believe it is a great way to support our downtown businesses and local charities during this holiday season. It is also great to have our downtown be the center of holiday celebrations, fun and good cheer. We hope you visit downtown to enjoy the atmosphere and shop local!”
All combined plans for this year are more expansive than what’s been seen in the past and were organized chiefly by Sweeny who joined Main Street Warsaw and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.
“This is what I’ve done in other cities is organize this kind of effort — and this is, moving forward, how we should be doing things to position downtown as a premier gathering place in the community’s living room,” Sweeny said.
Additional programming during the All Is Bright Downtown Christmas Celebration sponsored by 1st Source Bank includes:
• Downtown carolers every Friday and Saturday through Dec. 14.
• Weekend Christmas tree sales at the City Hall parking lot by Anderson and Greenhouse Florist who will be donating 10% of sales to Fellowship Missions.
• Santa will be downtown at Fellowship Missions’ “The Gathering Place,” Downtown Candy Store and Reinholt’s Furniture Store.
• Gift wrapping will be provided by local not-for-profits for a $5 donation at The Gathering Place on Black Friday and every Saturday through Dec. 14.
• Turkey Trot 1-mile fun run at the Courthouse Friday.
• Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday specials.
• Window decorating contest on Dec. 5.
• Twinkle Light Parade on Dec. 6.
• Downtown Open House and Sip N Shop Dec. 13 that will feature luminaire-lit candle bags lining the streets, carolers and shops staying open from 5-8 p.m. and offering wine, cheese and holiday treats to shoppers.
• Holiday Coffee Klatches at downtown four coffee destinations featuring live Christmas music on Dec. 10 and 17.
• Wine Downtown Wednesdays with specials on wine at downtown restaurants and bars.
• Thursdays Holiday Happy Hours with drink specials and holiday cocktails from 4-6 p.m. at downtown restaurants and bars.
For a complete listing of details, dates and times for the All Is Bright Downtown Christmas Celebration, visit mainstreetwarsaw.org.
