Audio clip
Anna Tromanhauser
DAYTON, Tenn. -- Downtown Dayton stores are decorating and discounting prices for the fifth annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday.
"We want people to shop in Rhea County first," said Anna Tromanhauser, executive director of MainStreet Dayton. "This is one of the biggest downtown events of the year."
She said as many as 2,000 people are expected downtown for the evening of shopping and entertainment. About 30 participating businesses have dressed up their facades and will stay open later and offer special discounts. The Bryan College children's community choir will be caroling in front of stores.
Traffic will be blocked off on Main, Market and Church streets starting at 4 p.m. Thursday and continuing through Friday morning.
Michelle Christopher, owner of Bel-n-Bert Flowers, put a large Christmas tree in front of her store for the event.
"It's going to be exciting," she said. "I'm looking forwarding to seeing the visitors come in."
IF YOU GO
* What: Holiday Stroll
* When: 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday
* Where: Main Street in downtown Dayton, Tenn.
* Information: www.mainstreetday...>
Angie Kerr, owner of The Gathering Place, said the event and others sponsored by MainStreet Dayton have helped businesses work together to improve the area.
"There's a new excitement for merchants," Ms. Kerr said. "It's helping to draw us together and given us a goal to revitalize downtown Dayton."
Ms. Tromanhauser said the Holiday Stroll is one of several events sponsored throughout the holiday season by the nonprofit MainStreet Dayton. Other events include Festive Fridays, with special discounts and drawings; an ornament sale; and a Christmas parade.
MainStreet is a federal and state program aimed at revitalizing and preserving downtown areas. The office is funded by a $1 million to be distributed over 10 years, Ms. Tromanhauser said.
Before the grant, the community only had events like the Strawberry Festival and the Horse and Carriage Christmas Parade, Ms. Kerr said. Now there are those events plus the fall Pumpkin Festival and a black tie Harvest Ball.
MainStreet Dayton officials also plan to landscape outside the historic Rhea County Courthouse where the Scopes Trial was held, renovate the steps outside the building and install new poles and lights around downtown area, Ms. Tromanhauser said.
Yolanda Putman has been a reporter at the Times Free Press for 11 years. She covers housing and previously covered education and crime. Yolanda is a Chattanooga native who has a master’s degree in communication from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Alabama State University. She previously worked at the Lima (Ohio) News. She enjoys running, reading and writing and is the mother of one son, Tyreese. She has also ...
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