THOMASVILLE- The streets of Downtown Thomasville were filled with holiday merriment and joy this past Thursday and Friday, with local vendors, storefronts, and visitors from all over celebrating Victorian Christmas. Experiences of all kinds were enjoyed by those who attended or played a role in the event.

Shopping was a must as people bought gifts to spread the holiday spirit. The event kept employees in downtown storefronts busy as visitors walked in and out of each storefront, making their way up and down Broad and Jackson Street. Visitors are not the only ones experiencing the spirit of Christmas.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Onward Reserve employee Dolan Cleveland said. “It gets everybody in the festive mood. You know we have a lot of good business come through, we meet a lot of people, and it’s just a really good time for everyone involved.” The store was filled with new merchandise for the holidays.

Vendors were lining the streets either raising money for a cause or simply spreading love and good cheer. The bacon cheeseburger donut was a hit for The Connection Assembly Church’s booth during the event.

“We want to be a positive space and show a reflection of Jesus to the people that stop by the booth. We use the proceeds of this to fund our youth ministry and our children’s ministry. This is one of our biggest fundraisers that we do all year. It is twofold. Bring some cheer and fund our youth ministry,” Ryan Stuart, a volunteer serving the infamous bacon donut cheeseburgers, said.

Ally and Douglas Carroll were amongst the many people who chose to play a part in the event. They became a main focal point for everyone at the event as they made large strides around the streets on stilts in costumes from the Victorian Era. The pair traveled from Orlando, Florida, to escape the busyness of life back at home.

“I have been doing it for four years,” Ally said. “I think I have been doing it probably about nine,” Douglas added. Both Ally and Douglas enjoy Victorian Christmas and return year after year.

The pair both agreed that the holidays are meant to slow down and enjoy the time with those around. Douglas mentioned that the most important part of the holidays was “Family.” He added, “And being with the family that you are born into and the family that you make.” Ally and Douglas most enjoy being able to play a role in spreading the Christmas spirit each year during the event.

The Grinch could be found taking pictures with anyone who approached with delight and desire to spread love. Similar to others who choose to play a part in the event, the Grinch has been buzzing through the streets of Downtown for many years.

“This is my fourth year,” the Grinch said.

Those who met the green fuzzy character dressed in a Santa suit may have been shocked by his kindness.

“I just love Christmas. I have had a change of heart. It is three, four, five times bigger. Christmas means the love of Jesus, the birth of Christ, and celebrating everybody’s goodness, greatness, and just a lot of love,” the Grinch profoundly stated.

The holiday cheer spread throughout downtown by the estimated 40,000 visitors was even able to make the Grinch want to share the Christmas spirit!

According to Downtown Thomasville’s Main Street Manager, Brandy Avery, the 40,000 estimated visitors were split between Thursday and Friday night’s activities.

“We have people all year long come into the Visitors Center visiting Thomasville and we’re already talking about coming back for Victorian Christmas,” Avery said.

The Christmas festivities are enjoyed by new visitors each year with the constant growth of the event.