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Although the temperatures have cooled a bit, the thought of August towering over us has many ready to cool off by doing something new. So, how about trying Christmas in July this week in downtown Elizabethton.

Even though July will never be as big a celebration as December (nor should it be), it’s nice to have an excuse to be festive and have some fun! In the middle of summer. Hallmark shows Christmas movies in July, so why not a taste of Christmas in downtown this month.

Main Street Elizabethton is partnering with several downtown businesses for a week of special deals and giveaways, and some jolly, jolly fun.

You can shop for ornaments and Christmas decor, commission a local artist for portrait work for holiday gifts, make your own nativity set, as well as get in on some holiday sales. You can also pick up a holiday drink and some homemade gingerbread and peppermint ice cream.

It’s one way to beat the heat of a mundane summer and put some excitement into your days before school begins in a couple of weeks.

Christmas is always a magical time, thus downtown is transforming for the holiday as businesses get creative with decorations and specials, making it a fun time to spread that holiday cheer in the middle of summer.

And, no doubt Santa and Mrs. Claus will take a break from their North Pole duties to attend the Christmas in July promotion. They, too, perhaps will do some shopping while visiting downtown.

And you can stretch that cheer into the weekend with the Tennessee sales tax holiday on school supplies, clothing, and computers.

Main Street Elizabethton is working every day to make shopping downtown special with events and promotions. They’re only successful if businesses and the general public participate. These events are designed to bring people downtown and to connect people with businesses. And, if it works, businesses are successful and shoppers go home happy.

Elizabethton’s downtown has been a lively place this summer with the Saturday concerts in the park and car shows, in addition to events sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department and Elizabethton-Carter County Library. And, yet to come is the annual Covered Bridge Celebration in September.

We hope you will put the downtown on your list of places to visit this week and get an early taste of Christmas…and do some early shopping. That’s why downtown merchants are having Christmas in July.