If it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in downtown Hope, it could be the new bright lights adorning the city streets.
The Hope and District Chamber of Commerce purchased $20,000 in new Christmas lights for Wallace Street, and the District of Hope staff has been busy getting them all in place. Of that money, $8,200 came from the Community Forest Fund.
In addition to stringing the lights so they zigzag over the road, they’ve also installed brackets on light poles to hold even more lit Christmas decor. And Communities in Blooms volunteers several days getting all the light strings ready, says Victor Smith.
And it’s all been completed just in time for the big shopping day of the season, on Nov. 30. Hope’s Holiday Fest runs that night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
There is plenty planned that evening, including a vendors’ market place, carollers in the streets, and free hot chocolate, provided by Starbucks in Memorial Park. Watch for pop-up shop signs around town, and special deals inside various stores.
The Christmas lights will be officially lit in a special celebration right at 5 p.m. at the District Hall in Memorial Park.
It’s also a chance to double up on stamps for those participating in the Passport to Christmas.