HOLMES BEACH – It was a celebration of community and the start of the holiday season as residents and visitors alike gathered for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
Businesses reported that more people than the previous year turned out for the Holiday Open House Friday night, held in the city’s central business district near the intersection of Gulf and Marina Drives. It might have been the perfect weather or cabin fever from the past weeks of red tide, but the visitors also spent money, which the merchants needed.
The open house also included A Paradise Realty’s 2018 Toys for Tots wine and tapas tasting with Hurricane Hank’s supplying the food and wine.
The celebration started around the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the annual event. The crowd gathered in the Chamber parking lot, sampling cookies and listening to music provided by CrossPointe Fellowship. Revelers also were greeted by the pirates of the Anna Maria Island Privateers and had the opportunity to climb aboard Santa’s sleigh to tell the man himself what they want for Christmas.
In years past, many people headed for the shopping centers before the Christmas tree lighting, but this year scrumptious snacks at Aqua Aveda next to the Chamber kept the visitors around. There was a “Christmas Vacation” moment when the tree’s lights came on, then all of the lights in the parking lot went off. It was only temporary, and the lights came back on and stayed that way, receiving a round of cheers and applause from onlookers.
The shops and art outlets reported good sales and the Toys for Tots donations also were plentiful. The merchants were thankful and hopeful that the event was the start of a business rebound from the lingering effects of red tide.
