By SARAH WETENHALL
DavidsonNews.net

What are your favorite holiday memories? If they include good food, shopping, decorations, spending time with friends and family, music, charity or Santa you won’t want to miss this year’s Christmas in Davidson. Come out and enjoy the festive mood during the 21st annual celebration Thursday to Saturday nights, 6-p.m. in downtown Davidson.

This year’s festival will have a more local flavor – literally – than some years past, says Margaret Martens, who helped to plan the event for the Town of Davidson. Local restaurants will be serving most of the food and local nonprofit organizations will have  booths. “We’ve got the right balance this year,” Ms. Martens said. “People just like to see Davidson restaurants and local nonprofits involved.”

Organizers expect around 25,000 people to attend.

The Doggie Fashion Show returns to Christmas in Davidson this year. (Town of Davidson photo)

Adults, children and pets will find a wide range of activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling Victorian carolers, a children’s train (on Thursday and Saturday), a Doggie Fashion Show, free hayrides through the college campus and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Local restaurants and merchants will be open for holiday dining and shopping; many will offer special holiday-themed activities.

Frosty’s Food Court will feature dishes from many of Davidson’s restaurants. And you can support local non-profits when you purchase special offerings at their booths. Under the tent on the Village Green, find snacks including chocolates, gingerbread, cookies or s’mores roasted over an outdoor fire pit.

Don’t miss this celebration with neighbors, family and friends!

Some of the many activities:

• Visit Santa Claus in the Community Room at the Davidson Public Library where CVS Pharmacy will photograph children with Santa. You can pick up your free photos at CVS the next day.
• Meet Mrs. Claus at Knox Realty or Curious George at Main Street Books on Friday evening.
• Check out dramatic action at Davidson Town Hall and watch performances by the Connie Company presenting “Bits of Christmas.”
• Hop on a horse drawn carriage and tour Davidson.
• Create ornaments and decorate candy canes at Ben & Jerry’s.
• Decorate holiday cards and make chocolate covered pretzels at the Sanctuary of Davidson.
• Make reindeer food for Rudolph and the gang at BB&T Bank.
• Have your face painted at The Needlecraft Center.
• Watch Brandini the Great doing balloon magic at The Village Store.
• Take a hay wagon or trolley ride through town.
• Decorate gingerbread men at Campania Cafe and Italian Gourmet Market.
• Watch a blacksmith in action at Wooden Stone.
• Watch the live nativity scene at Davidson United Methodist Church.
• Cheer on your favorite pooch at the Doggie Fashion Show on Friday evening.
• All aboard the children’s train Thursday and Saturday night.
• Davidson Lions Club will be selling Christmas Trees, behind Summit Coffee.
• The Community Arts Project will provide holiday art activities for the kids at the Town Hall on Friday and Saturday nights.

DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of Christmas in Davidson 2009.

Christmas in Davidson Events

Following is a listing of events scheduled during Christmas in Davidson. We’ve included everything we know about sent by organizers, businesses and participants. Did we miss something? Send an email to editor@davidsonnews.net.

THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 6-7 p.m., Village Green stage – Davidson Elementary chorus groups will perform.

THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 7 p.m. Village Green stage – Davidson Day’s “Gingerbread Singers” and band members will perform

THURSDAY, DEC. 3 to SATURDAY, DEC. 5, 6-9 p.m., Stowe’s Corner Building, Main Street – During Christmas in Davidson local cookie company Bird & Bear, whose cookies are regularly sold at Summit Coffee, will be selling holiday merchandise. Carolina Raptor Center also will have a display set up on the steps. Also with displays at Stowe’s Corner will be Deborah Young portrait studios and John Marshall Custom Homes.

THURSDAY, DEC. 3 to SATURDAY, DEC. 5, 6-9 p.m., Campania Cafe, 416 South Main Street – Campania Cafe invites children and families to participate in free gingerbread cookie man decorating.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4 5:30-8 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 233 S. Main St. – Stop into DUMC’s Christmas Cafe during Christmas in Davidson for hot soup and chili, warm bread and cookies. $5 for soup/chili and crusty bread; desserts by donation. Proceeds to benefit the DUMC Youth Choir Ministry.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4,, 6-9 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Community Arts Project provides holiday art activities for kids.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 6 p.m., Village Green stage – Davidson Day Upper School Theatre students will peform “Fruitcake & Santa Claus – the Game Show.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 6 p.m., Fuel Pizza, 402 S. Main St. – The Huntersville Brass plays during Christmas in Davidson outside the restaurant. The group is Richard Spangler and Sam Waymouth on trumpets, Eric Knight on horn, Torrence Banks on trombone and Al Sudduth on tuba. Free.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, various times, Davidson United Methodist Church – Cannon School Middle School Strings Ensemble performs at 6 p.m., Upper School Chamber Ensembles at 6:20 p.m., Upper School A Capella Groups at 6:50 p.m., Middle and Upper School Chorus at 7 p.m., and Upper School Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 7 p.m., South Main Square – The Doggie Fashion Show returns this year as part of Christmas in Davidson. Watch dogs strut their stuff in holiday outfits. Organizers are asking for puppies to pre-register to ensure a place in the event. Participation will be limited to the first 30 dogs registered. If interested please send your name, your dog’s name and breed, and mention any unusual or special doggie talents to Davidsonpaws@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 7 p.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Charlotte Writers Club North presents local poet and Davidson College professor emeritus Tony Abbott, signing copies of his new book “New & Selected Poems 1989-2009.” Also there will be writers Joseph Bathanti and Brenda Flanagan.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church sanctuary, Concord Road and Main Street – Christmas Handbell Concert, with the church handbell choirs and a local flute choir. Program includes favorites, a sing-along, and Spanish carols. Free.

Rusty Knox and friends play Friday at Wachovia and Saturday at Summit.

FRIDAY, DEC. 4, 7:30-9 p.m., Wachovia Bank branch, Main Street – Live music: Rusty Knox and Friends. Free.

SATURDAY, DEC. 5, various times, Village Green stage – Community School of Davidson band will play at 5:30 p.m., the chorus will sing at 5:45 p.m., and dance students will perform at 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 5,, 6-9 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Community Arts Project provides holiday art activities for kids.

SATURDAY, DEC. 5 7-9 p.m., Lake Norman Art League Gallery, 442 S. Main St – Stop in during Christmas in Davidson for the official opening of the Lake Norman Art League 2009 Small Works Exhibit, complete with food. Viewer’s choice awards will be announced at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 5, 7 to 11:30 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Rusty Knox Band.  Free.

MORE EVENTS
Read more about how local schools are participating in the festivities in Laurie Dennis’s Dec. 3 School Notes column.
There’s lots more going on in and around Davidson this weekend, from the Davidson Farmers Market to a free Christmas Vespers Service at Davidson College Presbyterian Church to an Alternative Gift Fair at Davidson College. Read more in our Davidson Weekend Calendar.

Logistics

Parking

There is lots of free parking on Main Street and Jackson Street, at South Main Square, along local side streets and in lots on Jackson Street. A free trolley runs from the Cotton Mill with stops along Main Street to pick up and take you where you want to go.

ATMs

Several ATMs are available on Main Street, in the Stowe Building and at Exit 30.

Restrooms

Public restrooms are available at town hall, the Davidson Public Library, DUMC and DCPC as well as many local businesses and restaurants.

Keepsakes

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for a Davidson friend living away? Why not pick up a Christmas in Davidson 2009 ornament? This beautiful wooden ornament depicts a downtown scene and can be purchased at several local stores for $15.

More information

For more information including a complete schedule of daily activities and a parking map, visit www.ci.davidson.nc.us/CID.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORNAMENT

The Davidson Historical Society is selling its 2nd annual pewter holiday ornament, featuring the Helper Hotel (aka Carolina Inn), circa 1848. Ornaments are $12 and available at the DHS table (in front of Ink to Go) during Christmas in Davidson.   After Christmas in Davidson, ornaments will be available at various downtown shops.