Features Editor

Even though the sun was shining and the temperature hovered around 72 degrees, Christmas was still in the air Sunday afternoon at the Promenade Troy America.

A steady flow of shoppers circled the square in downtown Troy for the citywide open house event sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Downtown Revitalization Committee.

"We had worried a little that the warm weather might keep people from thinking about Christmas, but it was not a deterrent at all," said Jenniffer Barner, chamber community development director. "We had a lot of people in town and everyone seemed to have a great time."

The idea of having a merchant open house coupled with a display of art work by local artists has been floating around for a couple of years, Barner said.

"We have so much talent and we wanted a way to showcase it," she said. "The idea to have each participating business host an artist seemed to go well with the merchants’ Christmas open house. We expanded the idea to include performing artists and it worked extremely well."

While the performing artists were center stage at the gazebo, the artists and merchants

shared equal billing with art displays and shopping specials in the stores around the square.

There is no better way to shop that at home with friends and neighbors, Barner said.

"The merchants had refreshments in the stores and door prizes in addition to the good shopping deals," she said. "The Jazz Café attracted a big crowd all afternoon with music, cheesecake and coffee and poetry reading."

Santa Claus came to town and the children enjoyed seeing him and making their wishes known.

"Of course, Santa was a highlight for the children, but they also enjoyed decorating cookies and Christmas ornaments and having their faces painted," Barner said. "There was something for everyone and this will not be our last Promenade."

On a scale of 1 to 10, Barner rated the Promenade a 10.

"I just don’t see how it could have been any better," she said. "The afternoon was a perfect time for fellowship, shopping and entertainment. The Promenade will definitely be an annual event."

Barner expressed appreciation to all those who participated – the merchants, the artists, the performers, the volunteers with the children’s activities and , "of course, all of those who came out to support this wonderful event."