Breckenridge Texan

Local businesses are busy getting ready for Friday’s annual Mingle & Jingle shopping event, hosted by the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s Mingle & Jingle features 21 businesses that will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. The official time frame for Mingle & Jingle has been expanded by a few hours in the daytime in order to give shoppers more time and to keep large crowds from gathering all at one time. The extended time was implemented to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday shopping event.

To encourage everyone to shop at the local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce has purchased $50 gift certificates for each of the Mingle & Jingle businesses. On Nov. 20, everyone who visits one of the participating businesses will be able to enter a drawing for the gift certificate to that business. “You don’t have to make a purchase to enter; it’s free,” said the Chamber Executive Director Carrie Holson. “That’s just something that the chamber does to try to encourage everybody to visit the stores.”

Additionally, some of the businesses may hold their own drawings for additional gift certificates or other prizes.

During Mingle & Jingle, Santa Claus will be at MLR Graphics for the kids to visit with from 6 to 8 p.m. Additionally, the Chamber is sponsoring free admission to Party Planet from 5 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 20. Parents can take their children to see Santa and then drop them off at Party Planet while the parents go shop at the participating Mingle & Jingle stores, Holson said.

Businesses participating in Mingle & Jingle include:

• Bargain Box
• Bertie & Olif
• Bunkhouse Divas Boutique
• Classy with a Little Sass
• Downtown Salon
• G.O.E. Marine
• Happy Days Antiques
• Higginbotham Brothers
• Main Street Floral & Gifts
• MLR Graphics
• Party Planet
• Pixie Dust Event Rentals
• Ridge Nutrition
• Rustic Charm Candles
• The Boutique & Co.
• The Shirt Shop
• The Vintage Butterfly
• Thurmon Furniture
• Uniquely Handmade
• Woman’s Forum
• 40 Something Cowgirls

Additionally, Wallace Insurance Group will be accepting gifts for their Community Christmas Gift Drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more details, check out the Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.

TREE LIGHTING

The lights on the community Christmas tree, located in downtown Breckenridge in Foundation Park at the corner of Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue, will be turned on at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. The lights on the Stephens County Courthouse and other downtown buildings will be turned on at the same time.

However, there will not be a ceremony or concert as there has been in the past.

GIFT DRIVE

Wallace Insurance Agency, located at 126 W. Walker, is sponsoring its inaugural Christmas Gift Drive this year for Breckenridge and Albany families that are in need.

Jessica Holmes with Wallace Insurance said the agency is working closely with local schools to identify children who are in need. The agency will accept new toys, gift cards, cash donations, clothing, shoes, hats, and gloves. because the children need more than just toys, Holmes said.

Items may be dropped off at the following places: Wallace Insurance Agency in Breckenridge, Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce office, East Elementary School, and the Albany Chamber of Commerce. The deadline to drop off items will be Friday, Dec. 18.

Click here for information about additional holiday events coming up.

Cutline, top photo: David and Drake Bearden stopped for a photo with Santa during the 2019 Mingle & Jingle event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/ Breckenridge Texan)

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