THOMASVILLE — If enthusiasm is an indicator about downtown Thomasville’s Victorian Christmas reimagined, the event will be a rousing success, organizers said.

Downtown restauranteur Rhonda Foster said people stop her on the street to say how excited they are the annual holiday downtown event will take place.

The first day of the event is Saturday. It continues Dec. 10, 11, 12 and 19.

The newly-formed Thomasville Downtown Merchants Alliance organized the event when COVID-19 regulations prevented the City of Thomasville from conducting Victorian Christmas as it has been done for more than three decades.

Foster and fellow downtown merchants Heather Abbott and Renee Moss created the Alliance to intervene when the city could not conduct traditional downtown Halloween and Christmas events.

Foster said Moss, co-owner of Farmer’s Daughter Vineyards, created the Alliance logo and “The Show Must Go On” slogan.

“She is the artistic person, and not only for Victorian Christmas. She’s the artistic genius behind it all,” Foster said.

Foster hopes the Victorian Christmas event will draw people to shop and dine downtown, encourage shopping locally and return Victorian Christmas to its original format.

Downtown merchants want to give back to the community by providing drop boxes for non-perishable food donations to Second Harvest and a Treehouse toy drive for sexually, emotionally and physically abused children.

Other activities include:

• Socially-distanced visits and photo-taking opportunities with Santa

• Storytime

• Santa’s mailbox

• Elves’ wrapping station

• Elf and character sightings

• Live freeze models

• Crafts for children

• Victorian sweets tour

• Jewelry-making for adults

• Victorian-themed costumes

• Carolers

• Live music

• Street music

• Seasonal cocktails and specials

• Sweets, treats and street food

• Overnight lodging

• Spa days

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820