Twinkling lights, children singing, colorful sock hats, fragrant spiced cider, a holiday band concert, delicious holiday treats, candles glowing, and Santa! Experience all these and more on December 5th in historic downtown Mount Airy, Maryland, as the Mount Airy Main Street Association presents the annual event A MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS.

Homes and businesses facing Main Street are encouraged to decorate for the holidays. This year, the historic old Train Station is beautifully decorated and outlined in lights, which is the center focus of the effort to Light the Loop, the entire three mile length of Main Street. The Mount Airy Business Women in Motion will judge the decorations, garnering prizes for the winners in two categories; Traditional and Innovative.

Saturday, December 5^th, will offer something to delight every sense, as the streets will be closed to traffic from 4 PM to 8 PM, to allowing special activities to occur in the street downtown.

On Saturday, December 5th, beginning at 5:00 PM, a Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held in the plaza in front of 114 South Main Street, featuring a beautiful Christmas Tree donated by Knills Farm Market and decorated by the 4 County Lions Club. Enjoy music from local school performers. The tree will be lighted by a selected local student and Mayor Rockinberg.

Following the festivities, enjoy the fabulous Twinkling Santa Parade at 7:00 PM, presented by the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company. The parade will begin at the Mount Airy Elementary School parking lot, and will end at Calvary Methodist Church. Participating parade entries will be bathed in twinkling lights, and will feature entries from youth groups and local businesses.

Immediately following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet with interested children inside the Firehouse Pottery & Arts at 116 South Main Street, where they will be entertained, sponsored by Browning Reagle Insurance.

The eleventh annual event is Mount Airy’s gift to the community, as all the activities are free and open to all. The snow date for the event will be Sunday, December 6th at the same time.

The Mount Airy Main Street Association is a non-profit group of local business owners and interested citizens, dedicated to supporting the businesses, and promoting and beautifying the historic downtown. For membership forms or additional information, check the website www.mountairymainstreet.org