By 1812Blockhouse
There’s a particular mix of sights and energy that seems to appear each year in downtown Mansfield during Christmas in the City.
Take the temperatures. It leaned to the chilly side on Friday night. Even so, the warmth in the crowd easily outmatched the cold. Smiles from attendees of all ages gave the evening a steady glow that didn’t depend on the weather.
Shops up and down the streets stayed open and offered everything from holiday specials to hands-on experiences. Live music filled the Element of Art studio at Fourth and Main and floated from inside the newly named The 101 Tea Company. Specialty retailers, both longtime favorites and recent arrivals, welcomed a steady stream of visitors. Tara’s Floral Expressions hosted a build-your-own bouquet bar and a Pampered Chef party, and several stops featured treats (eating and drinking) to sample.
1812Blockhouse made a point to visit the new Rose Circle Rare Books on West Fourth and walked away with the first of what will likely be many purchases. We’ll share more about this welcome addition to downtown Mansfield in the next day or two.
The focal point of the night was the lighting of the community Christmas tree at Richland Carrousel Park. Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry pressed the button, joined by Downtown Mansfield Inc. CEO Jennifer Kime and CDO Jamie Lustig Thompson as the tree came to life.
It’s worth noting that the entire event unfolded in the middle of the ongoing Main Street reconstruction project. Neither organizers nor attendees allowed barriers, detours, or a few inaccessible spots to dim the holiday spirit. The result was a strong turnout and a memorable evening that showed downtown Mansfield at its best.
Click any image for a larger version. Merry Christmas, Mansfield!
