Welcome to the Festival Off Main
Thursday, December 2, 2010 – Sunday, December 5, 2010

Can you hear them?  What? You don’t hear them? 
We’re talking about the Christmas bells!
They are already ringing “Off Main”.
The date has been set for the
8th Annual Festival Off Main &
Thomson, GA is getting ready!

Since December 2003, Thomson has been host to the Festival Off Main, an exciting, fun filled, and much anticipated event that has become a four day extravaganza for the community, and this year is no exception! From Santa's arrival on Thursday night to the parade on Sunday, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  Now, you need to get out your calendar and mark the dates to remember!  We can’t wait to see you Off Main!!

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The 2010 festival will begin with the Lighting of the Christmas Tree and Arrival of Santa Claus on Thursday, December 2nd, at the historic depot at 6:00 pm.  As is always the case, after the Singing by the Children all of the children will have an opportunity to Visit with Santa, and families will be able to enjoy Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Chili cooked and sold by the THOMSON FIRE AND RESCUE.  The proceeds from the food sales will benefit the Mayor’s Motorcade.

Friday night will find the children delighting in “Supper with Santa”!  What a fun filled evening is planned for children at the Depot.  Tickets will be on sale at the Chamber of Commerce at 149 Main Street at a cost of $5.00 per person. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce, fill out the registration form, and get your tickets.  A limited number of tickets are available so don’t wait too late to get your tickets!!

At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, runners will congregate on Church street and 1st Street  to participate in the annual 5K Depot Dash.  Applications can be downloaded from this web site, the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce web site,  the Thomson Family “Y” website, or you can sign up on www.active.com.  T-shirts will be given to the runners at registration.  Awards will be given to runners in each age bracket.  Early registration is $20.00.  On the day of the race registration will be $23.00.

The Festival Off Main Committee is excited to announce that this year’s Arts and Crafts Fair will be a two day event!!!  Vendors will open their tents at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4th, and will be on sight until 5:00 p.m., and will return on Sunday morning at 9:00 and sell until 5:00 p.m.  This year the fair will be a juried event which means that all items sold will be handmade.  A variety of artistic mediums will be offered – handmade Art, Pottery, Clothing/Accessories, Jewelry, Art, Metal, Needlecraft, Glass, Home/Garden Goods, and Edible Goods.  What fun it will be to shop for friends and family at the fair for one of a kind gifts!!!  Vendor applications can be downloaded from this website and/or the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce web site. Johnette Bell will once again provide us with our Crafters and Food Vendors – there will be something for everyone! Make your plans to spend the Saturday and Sunday with  us – listening to local entertainment; eating delicious food; visiting local businesses at the BUSINESS EXPO; having your children entertained in the Children’s Area; and shopping for that special handcrafted Christmas gift!

Entertainment will be provided beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the fair on Saturday morning and again on Sunday.  If you are interested in participating as an individual or group, contact Mike Carrington at the Chamber of Commerce. 

This year the Committee has committed to expanding the Children’s Area.  There will be activities for the children all day Saturday and until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Tina Swann is in charge of our Children’s Area, and she has promised that children of all ages will enjoy the craft and entertainment activities that we will have. Once again there will be the Children's Inflatables for their enjoyment and there will be NO CHARGE for participation. You read this correctly - this area will be dedicated to the children of our community!

An exciting addition to this year’s Festival will be the 2010 BUSINESS EXPO!!!!  A special area will be set up for local businesses who want to have a booth promoting their business.  What an opportunity for the locals to get to know you and your personnel or to introduce the public to a new service, new product, or new location!  Coupons for services or reduction in cost for products can be passed out but sales are not to be made at the EXPO.

A “Christmas in Candyland” Parade will take place on Sunday, December 5th, at 3:00 p.m. The parade will originate at the “Old Middle School” on Main Street and will disband at Thomson Elementary School on Fluker Street.  Your application along with the $10 fee must be in turned in to the Chamber no later than Wednesday, December 2nd.  Applications are available on this web site, the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce web site, and at the Chamber Office.  Three $100 prizes will be awarded to the three best entries!  As most of you know, there is little parking space on Bethany for the drop off of children.  This year we will have parking in the lot across from the Board of Education so that you may park there and walk you child or children over to the parade line up.  IN ORDER TO BE JUDGED FOR A PRIZE, YOUR FLOAT MUST BE DECORATED AND IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE “OLD MIDDLE SCHOOL” NO LATER THAN 1:30.  If you are riding a horse in the parade, please know that it is very difficult to accommodate trailers in the line up area on Bethany Street and on the lot with all the entries and children.  In the interest of your safety and that of your horse as well as the other entrants in the parade, it would be better if you unloaded your horses at the end of the parade route and rode them on back streets to the start of the parade or unloaded in the lot across from the Board of Education and moved your trailer to the end of the route. 

If you have questions please contact us FestivalOffMain@Hotmail.com or talk with the Chamber at 706-597-1000 or Johnette Bell at 706-595-3087.