Open House plans full slate on, off Broad
There will be free trolley rides with Santa and a candy cane hunt on the Town Green.
Downtown Rome merchants welcome in the holiday season today with their annual Holiday Open House celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Downtown Development Director Amanda Carter said the shops will be open their regular hours today, but some of the activities slated for the day will occur during that 11 to 3 window.
The Toonerville Trolley will be offering free rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus, with pick-up and dropoff taking place in front of the Forum River Center at the Town Green. Riders are encouraged to bring their smartphones or cameras to snap pictures of the kids with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the trolley.
At 1 p.m. Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation will hold a candy cane hunt on the Town Green.
Thousands of candy canes will be spread across the Town Green and, if last year is any indication, kids won’t want to be late because the goodies will be picked up in short order.
“We’ve encouraged our shops to play Christmas music and decorate for the holidays,” Carter said.
Elaine Abercrombie at Greene’s Jewelers, 328 Broad St., said she was taking it up a notch and actually showing Christmas movies on a large flatscreen TV in her store.
“Having Santa and Mrs. Claus downtown is a big attraction,” Abercrombie said. “We’re also going to have refreshments, some hot apple cider, fresh coffee and just going to have a great time.”
The Downtown Holiday Open House is always held the Saturday before Thanksgiving.