While COVID-19 kept attendance down, it was still a festive occasion for Saturday night’s Come Home For Christmas, sponsored by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.
Those arriving in downtown Greenville noticed the Bond County Courthouse lights were on.
Santa Claus was at People’s State Bank to see those young and old.
Five businesses were set up on the third floor of the SMART Center for the SMART Mart.
The lighted parade units were parked on the west side of Second Street near the courthouse. There were two floats and two vehicles.
Drawing a crowd was the 144th Army Band, which set up at the front of the first floor of the SMART Center. The front windows were opened and many sat on the adjoining patio to listen to the Christmas music.
The event ended with an auction of decorated Christmas trees on the east courthouse lawn. Greenville businesses decorated and sponsored the trees. Proceeds are to be used for the courthouse lighting project.
The weather, which is usually a main concern, was very nice for Come Home For Christmas, according to Chamber Executive Director Chamber Executive Director Elaine McNamara.
Click below to hear her comments:
The Mouse House, providing children the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts, was set up at Creekside Community Brew Coffeehouse, which was opened Saturday by new owners Erik Drake and Ashley Rench.
Saturday night was also the unveiling of the Chamber’s new BoCo Bucks program, where people can purchase the “bucks” and use them at local businesses which have agreed to accept them.