Christmas in Our Downtown

This has been a busy and beautiful Christmas season in our Downtown!

The weather has been amazing and the special events endless.

As chairman of the Christmas Committee there are a lot of people to thank for making it successful. Here is a list of everyone I can think of. If I've left anyone out I'm sorry & please let me know!

This is the 4th year of our Dickens of a Christmas event in Downtown New Bern. It has been the hard work of a very active committee.

Vicki Vitale for going to every single business in our downtown and encouraging them to light their businesses.

Lisa Edwards and Amanda Banks and all their helpers from Salem and Associates who pulled together the Light Up the Season event on the Friday after Thanksgiving. People said it was like Times Square. Other comments included that fact that for some, it was all they were doing for Christmas due to finances. They were grateful for the free craft tables for the kids, face painting and entertainment. These two also are the driving force behind making Bear Plaza the wonderland that it is.

Owen Andrews at Alphagraphics donated picture supplies
Bob Klein made the key/box to city lights
Chaz Foret at Trentwood Hardware donated materials for Christmas balls and made them for Bear Plaza
JoeSigns discounted signage
Susan Bridges who played Mrs. Claus
Jean Kenefick/Diane Schmitt helped “light up” Bear Plaza
V103.3 for the live remote
Timothy and Leslie Bridges from Carolina Carriage Tours who brought Santa in
Danny Batten of  Surf, Wind & Fire for labor, supplies and use of his back room for Santa’s to change
Restaurants who are helping feed Santa and Santa’s helpers
Sarah Vogel and Sara Pierce - Santa’s helpers
Annabeth Brown, owner of Get The Pointe Dance Studio and her dancers
Amy Thore, owner of Wanda Kay’s School of Dance and her dancers

Caroline Norwood for working with the kids to make jewelry and for donating all the supplies for the jewelry making table
Lindsey Bennett, face painter, who painted many, many faces!

Joan Ziemba at the Accidental Artist for making signs for Bear Plaza

Darlene Brown and I worked on the advertising. Darlene wrote many articles and spend hours going over events and submitting them to the media.

Mary Davidson and Williams Nursery for the Kissing Stations. Mary Davidson for the Dickens Detective puzzle and all the businesses that are giving out prizes for solving the puzzle.

Greg Smith for coordinating with the City to wrap the light poles with lights purchased by the Downtown Business Council and our sponsors. A BIG thank you to the city for doing that!

Pat Schaible, Janet Lamb, Michaele Watson, Rick Lang for passing out information.

Carol Tokarski and the Sun Journal for taking care of the wreath contest. And the businesses that contributed gift certificates to the voting winners - Twice as Nice, Carolina Creations, Mitchell Hardware, Beads & Bowls, and the Accidental Artist.  To everyone who participated in the wreath contest (and to those who voted!).

Our Santas for their time and enthusiasm.

The Sun Journal (Jacob McConnell and Sandy McKinney).  Inner Banx Media (Bill Poole and Kim Ball).  Radio Joe with V103 for being super media sponsors. Mark Miller for doing such a great job emceeing the Light Up the Season event.

Marcie Mills for coordinating the Downtown Council table at the holiday gift show and for all her efforts in promoting the event. To everyone who worked the holiday gift show serving cookies and cider.

New Bern Magazine for making us the front cover and featured article!

Swiss Bear for coordinating the billboards and allowing us to use their meeting room.

And all who helped decorate and repair the Santa House, Bear Plaza, put storyboards in Elks Building (thanks to Holton for allowing us to put them there).

Many businesses contributed monetarily to purchasing lights and advertising and just making everything happen in general.
Aerie Bed and Breakfast
AG Salem & Associates, PLLC CPA's
Bear City Fudge
Bern Bear Gifts
Branch's Furniture
Carolina Creations Fine Art Contemporary Craft
Comfort Suites Riverfront Park
Craven County Arts Council and Gallery
Downtown Pilates 
First Citizens Bank
Four C's
Fraser's Wine and Gourmet Cheese
Historic District Residents Association New Bern
Joe Alcoke
Mitchell Hardware
MJ's Raw Bar and Grille
Morgan's Tavern and Grill
New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce
New Bern Artworks & Company
New Bern Fireman's Museum
New Bern Riverfront Hilton
Overman Capital Management
Poor Charlies Flea Market and Antiques
Port City Java
Swiss Bear Downtown Development
The Accidental Artist
The Chelsea Restaurant
The Next Chapter Books
The Pepsi Store
Tryon Palace
Twice as Nice
Williams Farm and Garden Center 
Pinecone Perennials