It is my hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed time with family and friends.

We all have so much to be thankful for! One day really is not long enough to be thankful for family, friends and good health, among just a few. It is a time to sit and really enjoy the one day of eating and sharing with family or friends. So very much to be thankful for! Now let us turn our attention to the next holiday season and by far my favorite — Christmas!

The WHDA is going to do everything we can to make this one of the most festive times in our central business district. Thanks to the help of several of our merchants who were willing to step up and support this initiative, we can offer many different venues this year. Santa Claus has agreed to visit Washington every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at his hut on Main Street. This will give children a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they may want for Christmas. On Thursdays and Fridays, he will be there from 5-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2-6 p.m. While Santa is there, there will be carolers singing up and down Main Street and along the harbor each night. There will be Christmas music playing continuously during the day as you shop.

In collaboration with the Brown Library, the WHDA has added another feature this year, Kid’s Day Out.

This will be held at the Brown Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. where the kids will have a chance to see movies, thus allowing Mom and Dad to go and do needed Christmas shopping in downtown Washington at our retail stores.

Yet another new concept this year is the addition of our local farmers selling produce Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7 p.m. on Main Street. People who need vegetables or other produce may purchase them while downtown. Nothing is better than a good pot of collards on Christmas day with boiled potatoes and string beans with pigtails and dumplings. Adding turkey and ham, accompanied with oysters and dressing, can make a person want them all year. This will not be a full-fledged Farmers Market, but several vendors may have veggies and other goods to sell.

Please do not forget again this year the Harbor Walk of Lights that was such a hit last year and promises to be bigger this year. Yachts from Moss Landing Marina, our harbor and Havens Wharf will be lit up with Christmas decorations starting Dec. 3 until Dec. 23. Those participating will get free dock rental and judged for valuable prizes to the top three. Because of its success last year, this promises to become a Washington Christmas tradition every season.

As mentioned previously, come out and help us make this a very festive Christmas season in downtown Washington! With music, Santa, lighted yachts and produce vendors, accompanied by storeowners decorating for Christmas, it will be fun. Let us all help our merchants make this last quarter their very best! Pedestrian traffic should be at an all-time high both day and night beginning Dec. 3. They are doing all they can, so let us make this a jubilant holiday for them.

In closing, let us not forget the real meaning of Christmas! We have been truly blessed to live in such a wonderful place, and forgetting the reason we celebrate Christmas is not Washington. Please always remember to shop, dine and play in beautiful downtown Washington, N.C., and if you get the chance, you can always take a walk with the H-Rob!

Harold Robinson is the executive director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.