Several hundred people converged on Main Street Sunday afternoon to admire the storefront Christmas decorations and to begin their Christmas shopping during the Starkville holiday open house.
A WQJB radio station van parked near Sullivan’s Office Supply played songs such as “Let It Snow” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from speakers on its roof. People walked the sidewalks, passing in and out of stores, many stopping to admire the decorations that marked many store windows.
Sullivan’s Office Supply’s windows displayed a Christmas tree with gold and white ornaments. Christmas lights hung like icicles from the ceiling in the windows.
Between 600 and 700 people came by to see what was happening, Sullivan’s owner Steve Langston said.
“This is the first time [the open house has] been on the same weekend as a Mississippi State football game,” Langston said.
Alabama fans, as well as people from West Point, Eupora and Columbus passed through to enjoy the Christmas festivities. Starkville has held a Christmas open house for about 25 years. Beginning two years ago, the open house is held the first weekend in November.
“It’s a great event to introduce people to new merchants and to kick off the Christmas season,” Langston said.
Occasions Gift Shop, another store on Main Street, displayed a decorated Christmas tree surrounded by gifts wrapped in shiny red and green paper topped with perfectly tied bows.
“Today has exceeded all of our expectations,” Occasions store manager Mandee Johnson said of the crowd rushing around her.
The crowd in Occasions filled the store with a roar as people rushed about searching through the many possible gift ideas.
“Everybody seems to be in the Christmas mood, even though it’s a little on the warm side,” Johnson said.
The open house sales have increased dramatically since last year’s open house, she said.
“I love it when the store is full of people,” she said, smiling from across a glass-topped display.
As people paced the sidewalks, senior risk management and insurance major Elizabeth Crain said the open house put her in the Christmas spirit. She doesn’t usually shop on Main Street, but she said she heard about the open house from her roommate and decided to stop by.
“I wouldn’t have probably come here today otherwise,” Crain said.