November has arrived! We’ve said goodbye to ghouls and goblins and hello to the start of the holiday season. Over the next few weeks Hartsville will come alive with festivities for residents and visitors. On behalf of the City, I welcome everyone to come join the events we have scheduled and revel in the holiday spirit.
The Hartsville for the Holidays season kicks off Thursday, November 16th, from 6pm to 9pm with the Downtown Holiday Open House and Centennial Tree Lighting. Businesses along Carolina Avenue, College Avenue and Fifth Street will have extended shopping hours for folks to find something for everyone on their gift lists. Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Andrews and Representative Jay Lucas will do the honors of lighting the tree in Centennial Park at 6pm, preceded by a performance from the Hartsville High School chorus at 5:30pm. Expect roaming holiday carolers to spread festive cheer around town that evening. There will be a free snow slide with fresh powder for the ultimate snowball session in the Centennial Park parking lot beside First Citizens bank. Free horse-drawn wagon rides will be departing from East College Avenue. Santa Claus will be patiently waiting inside City Hall from 6:30pm to 9pm for picture opportunities—milk and cookies will be served.
Santa will return downtown December 9th, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, for another free photo opportunity at the Hartsville Museum’s Simply Christmas Exhibit. This exhibition will be displayed November 16th through January 19th and will grant curious eyes a sneak peek inside Santa’s Workshop while highlighting holiday traditions from past to present. Our city center will also see more horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides during our Christmas on Carolina series, starting, Thursday, November 30th. Every subsequent Thursday until December 21st, 6pm to 8pm, Christmas on Carolina will attract people downtown. Again, participating downtown businesses will offer extended shopping hours. The horse-drawn rides will depart from East College Avenue. Camden Carriage Company will be providing carriage rides this season. During Christmas on Carolina, rides will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Camden Carriage Company will be able to accept both cash and credit cards on these evenings.
Other joyful events happening over the next few weeks include the annual Hartsville Christmas Parade on December 9th at 10:30am, rain or shine. The parade will begin on South 5th Street, turn onto Laurens Avenue, make another turn onto 4th Street, and finally travel down East College Avenue before finishing on West Carolina. December 9th, will also feature the Hartsville Farmers Market on East Carolina Avenue from 9am to 1 pm. The Columbia City Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at the Center Theater on Friday, December 15th at 7:30pm. For ticket information for the Nutcracker Ballet contact the Center Theater at 843.332.5721 or visit thecentertheater.com for online ticket purchasing.
We at the City of Hartsville are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our community, our downtown, and our local businesses through festive events. Please come and show your support while uniting in the holiday spirit. For other information on Hartsville for the Holidays events, visit www.hartsvillefortheholidays.com or call 843.917.0602
Natalie Zeigler is the City Manager of Hartsville. For more information, call City Hall at 843-383-3015 or email info2@hartsvillesc.gov.