It’s hard to believe that we’re getting so close to the holiday season, and the Yazoo Chamber of Commerce is working to try to make it as successful as possible for our local businesses.
Holiday Open House, which is the biggest shopping day in Yazoo City, is set for Nov. 11 from 1-5 p.m.
That is also the date that we hope to turn on the Christmas lights downtown. The Chamber recently hired local contractor Keith Foreman to install the lights, and he started working on it over the weekend. As Chamber President, I am grateful to the Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau for funding the installation of the lights. It would not be possible without the CVB. We also appreciate the City of Yazoo and the Public Service Commission for working with us on providing the power.
We want every business participating in Holiday Open House to let us know so that we can include them in our promotional efforts. Call Chamber Director Kiristi Mills at 746-1273 or send an email to kmills@yazoochamber.com.
One thing we’d like to add this year are opportunities for local businesses to capitalize on the Christmas lights. The lights are a major attraction and draw many people for other communities. Many of the businesses that could most benefit from all those people coming to town are closed after dark, however.
I would also love to see some church groups volunteer to sing Christmas carols on Main Street or other efforts to help remind visitors of the true reason for the Christmas season while they’re visiting our community.
We’d like to help sponsor some special events that would encourage people to come see the lights and do some local shopping. I think things like a chance for children to get their photo made with Santa at a local business that also offers great Christmas gifts or even something as simple as someone selling hot chocolate are examples of ideas that could work.
If you have an idea that you would like to try, we want to hear from you. Our membership numbers are the highest they’ve been in years. Let’s take advantage of that.
I also challenge everyone reading this to make a sincere effort to shop locally first this holiday season. Our city can only be as strong as we make it, and keeping all those tax dollars at home while supporting our friends and neighbors is a great start.
