Holiday shopping season begins today with downtown open house event

The holidays are coming, and downtown merchants are ready. The halls are decked. The lights have been checked an repaired, and tonight, from 6 to 8:30, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., merchants will welcome the community and the holiday season with a special open house event.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. There are so many things to see and so many special things you can get for someone -- or pick something out for yourself," said Cindy Johnson of the Nevada Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce.

Holiday open houses are an annual tradition in Nevada, taking place in early November, and it's Johnson's experience that the event offers an exhilarating way to start the shopping season.

"It's also a great social time. You'll see your friends, you can spend time with family. It's fun, On Saturday, you can spend the whole day. There's plenty of places to have lunch or a snack and just enjoy the day," Johnson said.

Nineteen area businesses are participating -- each planning special surprises for patrons who come to the open houses. Many are located on or around the Square, but other businesses throughout town are

Participating businesses included Belle Rose Floral and Bistro, Body and Mind Works, Cavener's Library and Office Supply, Chair Mart Showcase, Cherry Street Celebrations, Compute This Technologies, Davison's Shoes and Verco Sporting Goods, Hacker's Jewelers, Hertzberg Furniture with Perfect Touch, Interior Motives, Madison's Place, May's Floral and Gifts, Nine Patch Quilts and Fabrics, Osage Prairie General Store, Pat's Designs Unlimited, Rinehart Jewelry, Tweten and Company, Inc, and Sears.

Erica Skouby of Nine Patch Quilts and Fabrics said this is the first time she's participated. "I'm really looking forward to it," she said, talking excitedly about the trees and other decorations popping up at Nine Patch and all around town.

"I love Christmas. So come on in and get a candy cane," she said with a laugh.

Preparing for this year's event included fixing holiday lighting around the Square -- mostly completed by KCP&L employees who volunteered their time after hours to get the job done.

"We really appreciated the people from KCP&L who did all that work," Johnson said.

In addition to in-store events and surprises like giveaways, samples, refreshments and more, horse-drawn carriage rides also will be offered during open house business hours on Saturday.