Changes Ahead For Holiday Celebrations In Washington

Washington City Council held their agenda meeting on Monday and departmental discussions were highlighted by the Washington Business District Authority. Main Street Manager, Shana Brown told council that they have mapped out the upcoming year and are looking forward to a successful year, a year that will bring changes. The biggest change, according to Brown, is the re-imagining of the Christmas holiday celebrations. Unlike last year where Small Business Saturday, Light Up Night, the Holiday Market and the annual Christmas Parade were held on consecutive weekends in 2024, all of the holiday events will occur on one weekend. This year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 30th, The Home for the Holidays extravaganza will have all holiday events take place that day. Other changes occurring this year is a change to the “Passport Program.”  Participants will no longer need to fill out their passports over the course of one event. They will have all year to visit vendors and participate in events sponsored by the authority. Once passports are filled out, they may be turned in for a prize t-shirt. The first event participants may use their passports is at the Love Local Cocoa Tour that takes place on February 10th.  Brown also said that approximately six new businesses will be opening over the next three months.