“We’re celebrating Hamlet’s railroad history,” said Bobby Singletary, treasurer of the Hamlet Business Development Association said. “And to make it a Christmas event, of course.”
Dec. 3 through Dec. 6 downtown Hamlet will adorn its buildings and streets for an Old Fashioned Christmas celebration which Singletary hopes to make into an annual event after this year.
This marks the second year for Hamlet’s celebration.
“It’s a beautiful event,” Singletary said. “Especially with all the talent.”
The Old Fashioned Christmas’ centerpiece, the restored passenger depot, is not only the setting for tours, but of several musical and theatrical acts both locally and statewide.
Some of which are coming from Moore County to perform, Singletary said.
From the coupling of the guitar and flute from musicians, Danny and June Infantino, to one-woman performances -the Old Fashioned Christmas will have several, multi-faceted performers, according to Singletary.
On Dec. 3 the celebration begins at 7 p.m. and throughout the night the Out of Bounds Barbershop Quartet will perform and at 8 p.m. there will be an old fashioned sing-a-long.
“We had a very good Old Fashioned Christmas last year,” Singletary said. “Well attended and the crowd was enthusiastic.”
Hamlet’s Main Street Cruise-In is also playing a role in the festivities with their car show on Dec. 4.
Also that night, the city will host the St. Mary’s Gospel Choir and Danny and June Infantino at 8 p.m.
Tim Barber, vocalist, and Sue Jarvis and her one actress play will be performed at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“There’s activities up and down the street every night,” Singletary said.
On-site vendors will sell food and other items every night, in addition to businesses and eateries already open.
The last day, Dec. 6, the festivities begin at 2 p.m. with the Backlash Bluegrass, followed by the Dance Sensations and Caroling in the Park.
Santa’s also coming to town on Dec. 11.
Following the Old Fashioned Christmas from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Santa’s scheduled to arrive on a 1953 Farmall Tractor with his Christmas Fiddle at Hamlet Hardware.
According to the schedule, other stores that will be open include: Physical Awareness Gymnastics, The Grab Thrift Shop, and Billy’s Chop Shop for Christmas Haircuts.
The churches on the street will provide music and refreshments will be served.
The Old Fashioned Christmas is in part with the Downtown Main Street Program as part of a revitalization effort for Hamlet’s downtown.
“We’re continuing to make Hamlet a more and more interesting place to be,” Singletary said.
Hamlet’s Old Fashioned Christmas begins on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. with Christmas at the Depot and ends on Dec. 6 after Caroling in the Park near the depot.
The cost is free.
n Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.
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