City of Hartsville Prepares for Downtown Holiday Events

With the holiday season quickly approaching, Hartsville residents can begin making plans to attend the many downtown holiday events that the City is hosting this year. Special Events Coordinator, Samantha Altman says, “The City of Hartsville is very excited about a new holiday season filled with events that our residents can get excited about as they prepare for the most wonderful time of the year.”
 
On November 21^st from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., the city will kick off the holiday season with the Downtown Holiday Open House and Centennial Tree Lighting. This celebration will be headlined with the Tree Lighting by Mayor Mel Pennington in Centennial Park at 6 p.m. Stop by Centennial Park early, around 5:30 p.m., to hear the Hartsville High School Chorus perform holiday favorites. Following the tree lighting, shoppers can kick-start the shopping season by checking out some of the Main Street Hartsville businesses that will be open until 9 p.m. Visitors are also invited to stop by City Hall to visit Santa Claus and warm up with hot chocolate and cookies sent to Hartsville by Mrs. Claus herself. It will be easy to get into the holiday spirit by playing in the snow in Centennial Park or taking a horse drawn carriage ride around Downtown. 
 
Christmas on Carolina events will be held Thursdays from December 5^th-19^th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. During this event, Camden Carriage Company will be conducting carriage rides around downtown. These 25 minute carriage rides will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. They will pick up riders on East College Avenue. Main Street Hartsville business will also stay open late for shoppers to enjoy extend shopping hours during the busy holiday season.
 
The Hartsville Museum will be festively decorated again this year for their Simply Christmas event open December 1^st - January 10^th. The main exhibit will be Santa’s Workshop, an exhibit that will give guests a peek inside of jolly St. Nick’s workshop. Admission is free. The Hartsville Museum is located at 222 North Fifth Street and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
The annual Hartsville Christmas Parade will be held downtown on Saturday, December 14^th at 3:00 p.m. This community parade will feature Hartsville’s first responders, local businesses, marching bands, and dance troops. Before jolly Santa Claus makes his parade appearance, he will greet guests at the Hartsville Museum for free photo opportunities. Parade applications are due by November 22^nd and can be found, along with other important event information, at www.hartsvillefortheholidays.com.
 
Schedule of Events
 

November 21, 2019	6 p.m. – 9 p.m.	Holiday Open House and Centennial Tree Lighting	Tree Lighting in Centennial Park 6 p.m. Downtown Businesses Open Late Snow Sliding in Centennial Park Carriage Rides from East College Ave. Santa Claus at City Hall with Hot                                                             Chocolate and Cookies
December 1 - January 10, 2019	M-F 10 am. – 5 p.m. Sa. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Simply Christmas Exhibit	Museum will be decorated for Christmas and features the Santa’s Workshop exhibit
December 5, 2019	6 p.m. – 8 p.m.	Christmas on Carolina	Downtown Business Open until 8 p.m. Carriage Rides from East College Ave.
December 12, 2019	6 p.m. – 8 p.m.	Christmas on Carolina	Downtown Business Open until 8 p.m. Carriage Rides from East College Ave.
December 14, 2019	9 a.m. – 1 p.m.	Hartsville Farmers Market	Vendors will be on East Carolina Avenue with wholesome, homegrown and handmade unique items, gifts, plus activities for the kids!
December 14, 2019	9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Pictures with Santa at the Hartsville Museum	Santa will be at the Hartsville Museum for a free photo opportunity. Bring your own camera.
December 14, 2019	3 p.m.	Annual Hartsville Christmas Parade	Applications Due: November 21st Late Applications Due: November 27th Applications and Route Map may be found at www.hartsvillefortheholidays.com
December 19, 2019	6 p.m. – 8 p.m.	Christmas on Carolina	Downtown Business Open until 8 p.m. Carriage Rides from East College Ave.