The Casper Journal :: Casper's Community Newspaper

Downtown Merchants & Professionals Association (DMPA) and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are bustling in preparation for downtown holiday fun.

The DDA has agreed to bring back the popular free hourly garage parking for downtown shoppers starting Nov. 23 and continuing through Jan. 1. Board members agree this is great way to thank shoppers for supporting Casper’s downtown businesses.

The newest event this year is a window display contest open to all downtown businesses. Businesses are encouraged to decorate their “storefront” windows with lights and holiday displays to reflect their unique business and taste. Participants should be ready to light them up for all to enjoy during the 2009 annual Downtown Christmas Parade. Participants are also asked to contact Debbie at the DDA (235-6710) to let her know you are interested in contest materials.

Members of the public may begin voting on the best dressed downtown window Sunday, Nov. 29 and are asked to look for posters in DMPA windows for voting “stations” throughout downtown.

Applications for Christmas Parade

This year’s theme is An Olde Fashion Christmas! Applications and guidelines for the Christmas Parade are available at www.downtowncasper.com or by calling Downtown Merchants & Professionals Association president Lory Palm at 266-3050.

A reminder to anyone downtown on the eve of the parade: Please move your vehicles off the parade route as cars will be towed. The route is the same every year and it starts at “A” and Center Street, heads south on Center to East First and travels east to Durbin, turns south onto Durbin to East Second and heads west on Second to Center. Finally, the parade heads south on Center toward City Park. Direct questions or concerns to Jay Snider with City Fleet and Special Events at 235-8263.

Photos with Santa Claus

Free photos with Santa are back again this year by popular demand. Santa will be downtown for five photo appearances. His “Christmas Corner” will be just inside the Wyoming National Apartments building, 204 E. Second St. in the first floor Community Room, on the other side of the large glass windows. His first appearance is Saturday, Nov. 28 from noon to 4 p.m. He returns the next Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This appearance coincides with the DMPA and Movie Palace, Inc. free holiday matinees (two in the morning and one in the afternoon).

Then, Santa has a special weeknight appearance in conjunction with downtown’s “Holiday Madness,” which is extending downtown shopping through 9 p.m. Santa will be posing for portraits from 5 to 9 p.m.

Finally, Santa returns for two more Saturdays before Christmas: Dec. 12 and 19 from noon to 4 p.m. For questions regarding Santa’s Christmas Corner, contact Debbie at the DDA, 235-6710.

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