By: Natalie M. Zeigler
City Manager
November is here, and with it Hartsville for the Holidays events have arrived. Starting November 17th, Hartsville will be full of holiday spirit as we invite visitors and residents to celebrate with us.
On November 17th from 6 to 9 pm, a newly combined downtown holiday event – Downtown Holiday Open House and Mayor’s Tree Lighting- will bring many visitors to Hartsville’s Downtown. Businesses will have extended shopping hours to find something for everyone on your gift list. Cookies and milk will be served in City Hall for pictures with Santa. The Mayor’s Tree Lighting will be in Centennial Park at 6:30pm with performances from local chorus groups. Additionally, free horse-drawn wagon rides will be departing from City Hall. There will also be a free snow slide with fresh powder for the ultimate snowball session in the East College Ave parking lot behind Mantissa Alley. The Carillon Carolers will be providing festive holiday carols throughout the evening as they travel around town.
Christmas on Carolina will begin December 1st. This event will bring horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides to Hartsville’s Downtown. These will be offered Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from December 1st to December 23rd. Extended shopping hours for participating downtown businesses will be offered on Thursday nights for these dates, as well. These rides will depart from the East College Avenue Parking lot. Prices for these rides will be $5 per person for wagon rides, $10 per person for carriage rides. Special couples pricing will be offered for $20 per couple or $30 per couple for a private ride.
Several other events happening over the next month include the Hartsville Christmas Parade on December 10th at 10:30am, the Hartsville Farmers Market on East Carolina Avenue on December 10th from 9am to 1 pm, and the Nutcracker Ballet at the Center Theater on December 16th at 7:30pm. The parade will begin on S. 5th St., turn onto Laurens Avenue, make another turn onto 4th St., and finally travel down East College Ave before finishing on West Carolina. For ticket information for the Nutcracker Ballet contact the Center Theater at 843.332.5721 or visit the Center Theater – HCCBC Facebook page for online ticket purchasing. For other information on Hartsville for the Holidays Events visit www.hartsvillefortheholidays.com or call 843.917.0602.
We are excited for the number of holiday events happening in our constantly growing downtown. We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our community, our downtown, and our local businesses. Please come and show your support of our businesses and the community while uniting in the holiday spirit.
Natalie Zeigler is the City Manager of Hartsville. For more information, call City Hall at 843-383-3015 or email info2@hartsvillesc.gov.