A holiday tradition returns Saturday with the 6 p.m. Downtown Party Night sponsored by Crawfordsville Main Street.
Local downtown businesses and others also will celebrate Small Business Saturday with special events and deals.
Downtown Main Street director Sue Lucas and her committee have put countless hours into the event which serves as a homecoming for many residents. Downtown stores will be decorated for the holidays and will be offering treats and drinks.
“Downtown Party Night has turned into a reunion for many who are home for Thanksgiving,” Lucas said. “Many come and see old friends and it truly makes you feel you are a part of downtown. The stores work hard to make it special.”
At 6 p.m. longtime downtown business owner and World War II veteran Dale Milligan will light the Christmas tree at the courthouse, followed by performances by the Crescendos and the Brass Master Quintet. Dan Wills will then stream holiday music for the remainder of the evening.
There also will be some new additions to the event. Pike Place will be full of activity with a street taco and kettle popcorn vendor. From 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ability Services Inc. will present Pike Place Holiday Express featuring caroling, drumming and Christmas readings. Fire pits will be available.
Pike Place also will be the loading area for those wanting to enjoy a holiday hayride provided by Oak Hill Tree Farm.
Fusion 54 will be a center of activity where attendees will be welcomed by the Visitors Bureau staff. The annual Hoosier Authors Forum will take place on the third floor. Many local and regional authors will be available to sell and to sign copies of their books. The fourth floor will host Library Lane offering multiple chidrens’ activities.
Attendees are asked to look over the decorated windows all over the downtown. Business owners were asked to decorate with the county bicentennial in mind. Lucas said the businesses have indeed come up with great ideas.
“It seems the business owners captured an era of Montgomery County history,” Lucas said. “There are some excellent windows and it will be interesting to see who wins the cash awards donated by Tri-County Bank.”
Anyone can vote for the “People’s Choice Award” by going to the Crawfordsville Montgomery County website to vote for their favorite window.
The evening will offer opportunities to give back to the community. The 2022 Strawberry Festival Court will be accepting donations of winter wear for local residents in need of warm clothing. Volunteers for Mental Health will be accepting donations at a station in front of Milligan Flowers and Gifts.
The evening also marks the grand opening of the Festival of Trees at the Masonic Cornerstone Event Center. More than 50 Christmas trees will be display until Dec. 10. There is an admission charge and proceeds will go toward the restoration fund for the building.
Coordinating and planning the event takes a lot of volunteers and help, Lucas said. She is appreciative of all those who do their part to make the night a success.
“Our main objective is to celebrate small businesses and to have residents support the families who own those small businesses,” Lucas said. “It takes a lot of time and effort to get downtown ready including the street department who makes sure downtown looks bright.”
More information for Downtown Party Night can be found on Crawfordsville Main Street’s Facebook event page.
