It's true that 2020 continues to shake up our normal, but I am so grateful that THIS community is where my family gets to spend this crazy year. From creative family events to business support to extra means of giving, the people in our cities continue to show up to remind one another of the things that really matter.
Enter our downtown small business owners who are showing up in a special way tonight, Friday, November 6, to usher in holiday cheer. The annual Holiday Marketplace Event will feature over 30 unique shops open from 6-9 p.m. to host the public and show off their offerings for the season.
Get the family together, don masks and bring the hand sanitizer, and head downtown for a little Christmas magic. Check out my four things to see!
1. Boro Art Crawl
See work by local creatives at selected stores and restaurants all night, including new murals by The Rhinovirus at Domenico's Italian Deli, Meagan Armes Art at Funtiques, and Rotyce Vaughn jewelry at Shacklett's Photography.
2. Live Music
Raise your hand if you're missing concerts these days! Catch live music downtown tonight, as Puckett's hosts Radio Farm starting at 6 p.m. and other musicians who will be at various venues throughout the night.
3. Open Houses
While the lights will shine bright from every shop tonight, don't miss the Country Gourmet's annual open house featuring gifts and goodies to put even the grumpiest Grinch in warm spirits. While you're noshing chocolates and treats, purchase the latest in their Murfreesboro ornament series designed by Country Gourmet owner Chris Gerbman. Unique open houses for Quinn's Mercantile The Social Exchange, and Re-Invintage Home also continue this weekend.
4. Gift Basket Giveaways
Your shopping offers great returns all month! Starting tonight, your purchases made each week this month enter you into drawings for gift baskets loaded with goods from the downtown businesses. Shoppers who also "Take the Pledge" to shop small this season will be entered into a drawing for a very special gift baskset.
To checkout all the offerings online, visit mainstreetmurfreesboro.org, or facebook.com/mainstreetmurfreesboro.
More family friendly events happening around town this weekend:
Friday, November 5
Coffee and Chords
Fountains at Gateway
5 p.m.
https://bit.ly/352dbcl
Friday, November 6
Family Nights at the Museum: Owl Prowl
Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation
6 p.m.
https://bit.ly/351xTsY
Friday, November 6
What's Up Night Hikes
Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park
6 p.m.
https://bit.ly/3p6GsLk
Friday, November 6
Eagleville's First Friday for November
Main Street, Eagleville
5 p.m.
https://bit.ly/2U1YCiK
Saturday, November 6
Wilderness Walk 2020
Sharp Springs Park, Smyrna
9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
https://bit.ly/3mZieAw
Saturday, November 6
Soo Dance Academy presents "The Tales of Coppelia"
Fountains at Gateway
2 p.m.
https://bit.ly/352dbcl
Laura Beth Payne is a writer mama and Murfreesboro native who lives in the Blackman community with her husband and two children. Follow her at @murfreesboromama on Facebook and Instagram. Got a column idea? Email her at laurabethpayne@gmail.com.