DAR invites you to Downtown Christmas party

Santa Claus will be in Downtown Poplar Bluff from 4-6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 for the Daily American Republic’s Downtown Christmas Celebration, a free event for families. (Photo provided)

Word is getting around about all the good things that are happening in downtown Poplar Bluff.

Buildings are being purchased and renovated. Buildings are being painted. A variety of stores are opening or preparing to open. And the Rodgers Theatre’s renovation is hitting full stride.

Guess who wants to make a visit and see it all? The Jolly Ole’ Man himself.

Santa Claus will be in downtown Poplar Bluff on Dec. 14 from 4-6:30 p.m. to hear what area children would like for Christmas. He may even take in the sights to see what all the fuss is about concerning the downtown.

The Daily American Republic, along with Haffy’s Sports Bar & Grill and other downtown businesses, will host a Downtown Poplar Bluff Christmas Celebration that evening. Downtown businesses are encouraged to extend their hours until 6:30 for the culmination of an open house weekend.

The DAR is also sponsoring a Christmas decoration contest in the days leading up to Santa’s visit and the open house. Downtown businesses are encouraged to decorate their establishments — inside and out — by Dec. 9. Pictures of the participating businesses will be put on the DAR’s Facebook page and the business with the most votes between Dec. 10-14 will receive a free $500 advertising package from the DAR.

Area residents will also have the opportunity to win cash. The DAR is giving away $200 (four prizes of $50 each) to those who visit and sign up at the participating downtown businesses during the open house weekend. The winners will be drawn the night of the open house and you must be present to enter.

You can enter for the free cash starting on Dec. 10.

The newspaper’s original idea for the evening was to have Santa visit the DAR and area children could come to the office and let him know what they would like for Christmas.

But DAR editor Donna Farley suggested we take the idea to another level. Farley, along with advertising director Christy Pierce, had the idea of helping promote downtown businesses with Santa’s visit.

And the Downtown Poplar Bluff Christmas Celebration — including the open house to feature the businesses — was born.

“I’ve worked in Downtown Poplar Bluff for about 15 years and the changes that have come recently have been so incredible to see. We have several fully restored buildings that are now contributing to the community once again,” Farley said.

“As of Friday, we had construction dumpsters outside three buildings where owners have been making repairs and upgrades. We have many more buildings that have been purchased recently by owners who have the same vision, of a thriving downtown that draws visitors and lifts up Poplar Bluff.”

The newspaper is a major part of downtown and we believe it’s important to promote the vision many have for the area.

“The DAR is part of the downtown and we want to help it succeed, which is why I’m so glad we can sponsor a downtown open house, as well as our Christmas celebration,” Farley explained. “These events are another way for us to share great news with our friends and neighbors.

“I hope everyone will help us celebrate historic Poplar Bluff and show our support for those who saw past the damage and deterioration downtown has suffered to what it can be again.”

The DAR turned to Downtown Poplar Bluff Director Morgan McIntosh to help us make the idea a reality.

“Events like the Downtown Poplar Bluff Christmas Celebration are a great way to draw our community downtown and showcase the progress we are making,” McIntosh stressed. “The efforts of several business and property owners should not go unnoticed. There have been great strides made recently to revitalize Downtown Poplar Bluff and we want our entire community to be as excited about the momentum as we are.”

Pierce said it’s exciting to see downtown growing.

“It is nice to see the celebration of Christmas coming to downtown, the original ‘heart of Poplar Bluff.’ I’m glad the Daily American Republic will be a big part of the celebration,” she said. “It’s exciting to see all of the new business activity in downtown Poplar Bluff.”

If anyone would like to take part in the celebration, please reach out to Farley at 573-785-1414. You can also email her at darley.dar@gmail.com .

And thank you for reading the DAR.

Chris is publisher for the DAR and he can be reached at cpruett.dar@gmail.com .