NORTH SALEM — Residents here celebrated Christmas community-style over the weekend.
it was the third-annual old Fashion Christmas Friday and Saturday, an event organized by the Tri-Pointe Optimist Club and old Fashion Days Committee, and sponsored by area merchants.
"Overall, it went very well," said Vicki Cox, owner-operator of Garden Gate Gift Shop and a festival organizer. "it was a little cold Friday, but we feel it was successful."
Festivities kicked off Friday evening with carriage rides that were sponsored by North Salem State Bank. Santa was in town to light the tree at 6 p.m. and luminaries decorated the streets. Residents could also participate in a decorating contest, with prizes sponsored by Roger Cloncs Farm Management Services.
Jackie Jones, Tri-Pointe Optimist Club secretary, said, "the carriage rides were full all evening."
North Salem Methodist Church served a community breakfast Saturday morning. Residents and visitors also got to enjoy a chili cook-off later that day in the community building.
"That was a bit slower this year," Jones said. "Unfortunately we had three funerals in town. but the people who were able to attend have enjoyed it. we even ran out of one pot of chili."
old Fashion Christmas culminated in a visit with Santa, who arrived at the community building aboard a fire truck. Tri-Pointe handed out goodie bags and the Indianapolis Children's Bureau provided families with photos of their children with Santa.
it was also a good weekend for local businesses that extended their hours. Perillo's Pizzeria on Broadway Street had its grand opening on Thursday, and saw strong demand all weekend.
"the majority of the merchants that were open did very well, so they were all happy," Cox said.
For a community with less than a thousand residents, North Salem is known for having popular festivals each year, including a street fair every July 4th. its old Fashion Days event, conducted every Labor Day Weekend, celebrated its 36th edition this year and regularly draws thousands of visitors to the tiny burg in northwest Hendricks County.
Cox said she doubts their Christmas and July 4th celebrations will ever get that popular.
"That's a pretty big event and very well established," she said. "We're hoping the street fair and Christmas event will continue to grow, but that'll take a few more volunteers."
Those interested in helping with those events may call Cox at 370-0585 or Beth Russell at North Salem Town Hall at (765) 676-6210.
"Next year we're going to try to change it up a little bit so that everyone doesn't get tired of it," Cox said of old Fashion Christmas. "We're always looking for new volunteers and new ideas."
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Hendricks County Flyer, Avon, IN