Jellico Christmas open house set for Friday evening

A group of Jellico merchants are hoping that a Friday evening open house will pump up business and showcase the town’s Christmas spirit as they host their second Shopping on Main Street event.

Sun Gypsy Boutique Owner Tina Davenport, one of two organizers for Friday’s event, noted that several local businesses decided to take part in the Christmas on Main open house after seeing the success of the first Shopping on Main Street event this past fall.

“Now even more businesses are taking part. They saw people came out last time, and now more of them have agreed to stay open late too,” Davenport said.

“We are trying to get some things going in Jellico, some things for people to get out and do. We are just trying to clean it up a little and wanting people to take pride in their town again. We are more or less trying to get it back to the way it used to be when people were out in town. We want to get better things going.”

The open house will take place from 5-9 p.m. Friday and will involve merchants on Main Street, who will have various specials. In addition there will be various merchandise and food vendors, who will set up at Veteran’s Park.

Carolers from local churches will be walking around singing Christmas carols.

Inflatables will be available for children to play on.

A mini photo session will be available for people to have their pictures taken with an old decorated truck.

An older couple from Lafollette will be offering wagon rides for a small fee in a decorated, lighted horse drawn carriage, and a tree farm will be set up to sell live Christmas trees.

“Santa will be there. There will be selfies with Santa. You can’t have a Christmas event without Santa,” Davenport added.

Leah Johnson, owner of Johnson’s Creek store, is the other organizer for Friday’s event.