This year's ChristmasVille was a success

By Staff Reports

This year's ChristmasVille is over. But those who visited the seasonal village in that came alive for four days no doubt boosted their level of holiday cheer.

The festival, which started with a Christmas parade and ended with, among other things, a parade of pooches dressed in holiday attire, offered dozens of special activities in between in downtown Rock Hill. All aspects of the local arts scene came into play, and people of all ages could find something to interest them.

The organized activities were great. But people could catch the Christmas spirit just by walking along Main Street, where they could find carolers dressed in period costume, bands playing Christmas music and even an elf or two. Festival-goers also could take rides in a horse-drawn carriage and visit historic homes that had been decorated for the holidays.

Downtown, in recent years, has become a site for music, art, good food and a variety of other entertainment and special events. More and more, it is serving as one of the city's central cultural hubs.

ChristmasVille, in its third year, already ranks as one of the city's premier seasonal events, a great way to kick off the holidays. This year, hundreds of people visited ChristmasVille, and we expect the numbers will continue to grow in the years ahead.

Congratulations to the city, the Main Street merchants, the Rock Hill Arts Council and all involved in planning and making this four-day festival such a success.