GOOD NEWS from Kate McCall

Kate McCall is celebrating its 8th Anniversary today! Stop by today for 8% off of your total in celebration of this milestone. Congratulations! We look forward to many more years of shopping at Kate McCall in downtown Lincolnton!

If you have any GOOD NEWS that you would like to share with the downtown community, just email it to downtown@ci.lincolnton.nc.us.

Go Local: Give Jingle Bucks

Having a hard time finding the perfect Christmas gift for that person who has everything? The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton (DDA) may have the answer.

The DDA is offering Jingle Bucks for sale from now through Christmas. Jingle Bucks are gift certificates that can be spent with any participating business in downtown Lincolnton. The certificates are available in $5, $10, and $20 denominations.

The Jingle Bucks further promote the “Go Local Lincolnton” campaign that the DDA initiated this year.

“When you shop at locally owned businesses, you are ensuring that more of your money stays right here in Lincolnton and Lincoln County,” said Stephen Starnes, DDA Chair. “And by giving Jingle Bucks, you are opening the doors to downtown Lincolnton’s unique independent and locally owned businesses for your recipient.”

Jingle Bucks are available for purchase from the Business & Community Development office, 114 East Main Street, downtown Lincolnton. For more information, call (704) 736-8915.

2009 Lincolnton Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting a Huge Success

The streets of downtown Lincolnton were lined with kids young and old this Sunday - all anxious for the 2009 Lincolnton Christmas Parade. This year's parade featured entries from scout troupes, local businesses, dance teams, churches, pageant queens and more - each sporting its own creative flair.

Some of the highlights of the parade included Parade Grand Marshals (and Man and Woman of the Year) Jim and Teresa Watson, Lincolnton Mayor and City Council, the bands of North Lincoln, East Lincoln, and Lincolnton High Schools, and everyone's favorite jolly ol elf - Santa Claus.

The Arts Council of Lincoln County judged parade entries and awarded the following entries with honors:

Best of Show: Boger City United Methodist Church - "Whoville"
1st Place: St. Dorothy's Catholic Church Youth Group - "The Nativity"
2nd Place: Glamorous Productions - "Glamorous Christmas"
3rd Place: Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County - "Building Homes for Our Community"

Hundreds stuck around after the parade for the 51st Annual Lincolnton Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. After a brief welcome by Mayor Pro Tem, Dr. Les Cloninger, Eric Reel, Pastor of Freedom Church, gave an invocation. Teresa Watson led the crowd in singing a couple of Christmas carols, which was followed by the lighting of the community Christmas Tree by Barbara Dudley, President of the Pilot Club. Musical performances by the Kiser Intermediate School Chorus and St. Dorothy's Catholic Church Spanish Youth Choir rounded out the evening.

Be sure to check out the photos of the event from The Carolina Scoop and the Lincoln Tribune.

Spend With Those You Know

This holiday season, please spread your cheer where it counts, at home. Convenience may dictate online shopping or the mall, but think about making the holidays brighter for your friends and neighbors. Money spent on Main Street stays within the community and sustains those who need it most. When you shop with local business owners, the money you spend re-circulates in your community. Local business owners employ local workers, pay local taxes, give to local charities, and buy goods and services from other local businesses. Money spent with out of town business owners leaves Lincolnton and has relatively little impact in our town.

Times are tight and not everyone has money to give this season, but we can all choose where to do our holiday shopping. The dollars you spend have a real impact on the health of your city and by spending on Main Street you create jobs on Main Street. Local business owners have supported our hometown by choosing to operate in Lincolnton; please support them this year when you do your holiday shopping and spend with those you know.

Main Streets aren't magical places just during the holidays; they are centers for community gathering and unique shopping and dining experiences throughout the year. Nothing sends this message better than this video. It celebrates all the aspects that make Lincolnton a great place to live, work, and play.