Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Cover Image by Al Blanton
Jasper Main Street will host Christmas on Main on Monday, December 1, immediately following the annual Hope for Women Festival of Lights tree-lighting ceremony set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
According to organizer Jordanna Gunter, the idea for the event came from conversations within the Jasper Main Street Vitality Committee, where her husband, Chase, and her father, Brent McCarver, both serve. The committee had been looking for more family-friendly activities to bring to downtown.
“We talked about doing something last year, but there wasn’t enough time to put it together,” Gunter said. “This year, we are excited to be able to move forward with it.”
Renae Wilson of Jasper Main Street said the goal is to bring the community together in the heart of downtown.
“We hope families make memories — shopping local, seeing neighbors, and feeling that small-town Christmas magic you just can’t find anywhere else,” she said.
As Hope for Women’s annual Festival of Lights Christmas tree lighting on Courthouse Square was already set for December 1, the two events were combined.
The evening will begin with opening remarks from the mayor, a performance by the Jasper High School Phoenix Show Choir, a countdown and lighting of the downtown Christmas trees, and a performance by the Jasper High School jazz band and dance line.
Once the Festival of Lights concludes, Christmas on Main will begin. The event will include:
• Trolley rides along Main Street with local volunteers dressed as Christmas elves, who will sing and hand out candy canes
• Santa and Mrs. Claus, available for photos, conversations, and cookies
• Pony rides, with ponies dressed as reindeer
• Christmas carolers, organized by Eddie Brown, dressed in Dickens-style costumes
“We’re excited about seeing Downtown Jasper full of lights, full of laughter, and full of people supporting our local businesses. Christmas on Main is about reminding everyone that Downtown Jasper is a place to gather, celebrate, and belong,” said Wilson.
Parent Involvement Teams from Jasper City schools will have booths around the square, including:
• TR Simmons Elementary: handprint ornaments created with local artist Deanna Payne of Lhmercii
• Memorial Park Elementary: Christmas photo booth
• Maddox Intermediate: hot cocoa bar
Local vendors for the event include:
• Lisa Nichols – handmade crafts, shirts, and jewelry
• Ryan Porter – live wreaths
• Casey Lakey – vinyl heat-press Christmas shirts
• Grit and Grace, Deb’s on Fifth, and Boutique Tallulah – local boutiques
• Main Street Market, The Pink Cone, and Paper Places – food and drink vendors
Gunter said she is most excited to see the community come together.
“I’m glad the schools and vendors stepped up to be part of the first year,” she said. “You never know how a new event will go, but everyone was willing to participate. I’m excited to see how it grows in the future.”
Wilson says Jasper Main Street hopes that Christmas on Main becomes a tradition, like Festival of Lights, that families look forward to year after year.
“Our goal is to create an experience where kids’ eyes light up, parents slow down for a moment, and our whole community feels proud of what’s happening in Downtown Jasper.” WL
