The holiday season officially kicks off Thursday with the annual Downtown Holiday Open House, sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The event is from 6 until 8 p.m. with downtown merchants extending business hours for holiday shoppers.

According to Angie Singletary, DDA director, “Upwards of 400 people attended Holiday Open House last year.” In addition to after-hours shopping, there will also be free horse and carriage rides, free street trolley rides and door prizes, and parents can take their children to have a photo taken with Santa Claus at the corner of Lee and Lamar streets.

Thursday afternoon the decorated storefront windows in downtown will be judged and awarded by marketing students from South Georgia Technical College. Ribbons will be on display Thursday evening for the winning windows. Also in conjunction with the open house in the first annual Arts Council “Christmas Shop,” with works by local artists for sale inside the Windsor Hotel. Attendees will be able to purchase works by local artists, crafts people and photographers from 4:30 until 8:30 p.m.