HowlOween 2021 is in the record books and a spectacular event it was! Mother Nature accommodated our need for a beautiful late afternoon to allow all the little ghosts and ghouls the chance to enjoy trick or treating downtown. And then she capped the event off with a spectacular double rainbow that stretched from one side of Orange to the other!
A special "thank you" to The Miller Firm, LLC for their very generous sponsorship and to Mason Insurance Agency for their wonderful advertising support.
Sincere thanks, too, to the Town of Orange Police Department for keeping everyone safe as traffic rolled through that Friday evening, and to The Arts Center in Orange for their fabulous immersive Halloween experience, Phantasmagoria, and to Earth Quest for providing their wonderful "Owl-o-ween" exhibit for families to enjoy.
A special "shout out" to the OCHS JROTC program. Chief Parenteau and his fine cadre of cadets -- Cody Karns, Jose Sandoval, Dakota Booth, Landon Branham, Leila Brown, Caitlyn Shoemaker, Collin Crooker, Ayesha Khan, Matthew Dinsmore, Anthony Dominguez, Dylan Jenkins, Kyleigh Giglio and Hayden Vasicek -- helped things run smoothly all afternoon, especially our new feature, the "Alley of the Afterlife."
Our treasured annual trick-or-treat event would not be possible without the generous support of so many businesses and organizations. Purchasing treats, organizing staff and devoting extra time to participate in the activity shows the true character of this wonderful town. Deepest thanks to all for making this the best HowlOween ever!
Charlotte Cole, Executive Director
November Brings New Shops to Main Street
Just in time for your holiday shopping, several entrepreneurs have opened beautiful retail businesses on Main Street!
Tammy Collins-Lohr is the genius behind a new retail/resale concept called Palmetto Posh which incorporates her fondness her native South Carolina and her signature color -- Sassy Green. Palmetto Posh is located at 113 E. Main Street and features a wonderful variety of vintage, antique and home goods. Being an excellent "treasure hunter," Tammy also offers a “wish list” service where she will seek out an item customers may be looking for but haven’t been able to find. Check out Palmetto Posh online https://www.facebook.com/ppvarietyshop, or better yet, visit Tammy's charming shop and find your next treasure there!
At the other end of Main Street, you'll find Spelled Ink featuring books, baubles, and bubbles. This unique pop-up shop at 132 W. Main Street is the brainchild of "two word-witches who love coffee, cats, and cocktails!" Heather Griffin is an Army veteran who has lived all over the world before coming back home to Virginia. Cindy Johnston-Pagan grew up in Orange County and received her degree in Information Systems Technology at Germanna Community College. Both Heather and Cindy balance their dynamic business, while writing and homeschooling their children. They even made time to found the Lucky Charms 4H group right here in Orange! Check out their offerings at https://www.spelledink.com/ or pop in to their pop-up shop for a little merchandising magic!
But wait -- there's more! Be on the lookout for additional Main Street pop-ups coming soon. Keep it Local, Keep it Orange!
'Tis the Season...
A few weeks ago, we announced Maddybugs' Annual Holiday Open House. While we got the dates right -- November 13 and 14 -- we got the address wrong. The correct address is 207 N. Madison Road in the Orange Park and Shop Plaza. This wonderful tradition, now in its 8th year, will take place from 10 am - 6 pm on Saturday and from noon - 5pm on Sunday. Be sure to check out all of the great gift items C.E. has waiting for all those good little boys and girls on your holiday shopping list...and he has some for you, too!
And, the next day, we have another event happening on Main Street...but you'll have to wait a little longer for details. Hint: Can you say Holiday Treasures and Tastings?????
It's on! Borne out of last year's COVID shut-down, our new annual event -- part of the month-long Holiday Village marketing campaign -- will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 10 am - 4 pm. And, this year it will be bigger and better!
Yes, we'll have the Gingerbread House Contest, coordinated by Orange County Parks and Recreation and The Arts Center in Orange, as the central focus, but we'll also have music, special family photo backdrops, a children's Toyland walk-through activity, an array of holiday crafts presented by Paint it Orange! in the Train Station, tours of the beautiful Orange County Courthouse, and, of course, Santa and his Orange Holiday Elves. Many of our shops will have special sales and events, and our local churches have a great line-up of activities planned, too. Watch for more details about this exciting holiday event in beautiful downtown Orange coming soon. Making things merry and bright!
As the flyer says, learn tips and tricks on how to make your gingerbread house entry on Saturday, November 27 at The Arts Center in Orange. Click here to learn more and register for this fun event. Participation is limited, so hurry!
Comments? Questions? Call 540.672.2540 or email odaexecd@gmail.com
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