9th annual Christmas Towne celebration on Dec. 9th

The ninth annual Christmas Towne celebration will be held Sunday, Dec. 9, from 2-6:30 p.m. in Exhibit Hall A of the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Admission to the family-friendly festival is free, along with complimentary parking provided by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Christmas Towne will host a multitude of kid-friendly games and activities including face painting, balloon art, along with taxi jet rides, and Thomas the Train amusement park ride. There will be free photographs taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as a station where children can write and mail their letters to Santa.

“Christmas Towne is a great way to celebrate the holiday spirit as a community. With around 40 local vendors, free photos with Santa and all the games and activities for children, this year’s festival is sure to be fun for the entire family. We’re delighted to host this winter celebration for free and look forward to seeing all those who attend,” said MBACC spokesperson Nora Battle.

Christmas Towne is also an official drop-off location for Toys for Tots, and while the festival is free, those who attend are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to help make local children’s holiday season a little brighter. Attendees that bring a new toy will also receive a coupon for a free order of Sonic ‘Tots.’

Following the main festival events, the city of Myrtle Beach will host its official tree lighting ceremony in the outdoor events plaza at the convention center at around 6 p.m. Both city of Myrtle Beach and convention center staff will decorate the 25-foot live tree prior to Sunday’s festival and tree lighting.

Those interested in being a festival exhibitor should contact Kema Faulk at (843) 916-7276or Kema.Faulk@VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Christmas Towne is sponsored by both the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Myrtle Beach. For more general event information, visit www.grandstrandevents.com or call (843) 626-7444.