Friends and family pull into the driveway. Hugs are exchanged and bags are taken in. The holiday festivities begin. The part left out of this scenario? The preparation.

The weeks leading up to the celebration are vital to having less stress during the actual holiday.
Businesses in Murray spent the past weeks serving the community by providing unique gifts ideas at affordable prices during the Murray Holiday Open House.

Ribbon Chix, located downtown in Murray, has been working extra hours to make sure each individual piece of merchandise fits their customer’s order. “We have our own designs and have been busy designing and making these. We have been busy little elves,” Krista Hatchett, co-owner of Ribbon Chix, said.

Murray homes are busy preparing for family and friends to visit, such as Bonnie Jones. Though the family all come at different times, she always has a Christmas Eve open house for her family, friends and fellow church members. She also hosts Christmas morning where she has a handmade stocking for each person in the family. Jones’ favorite part of the season is just having them all here together, she said. She and her husband have spent years traveling and collecting key chains in their 61 years of marriage. “My Christmas tree is decorated with key chains from different trips we have taken,” she said. “We have around 250 now, and add more each year.”

Murray Main Street has been getting ready all year for the many different holiday events happening downtown Murray that residents and guests of Murray will both enjoy.
“Many hours of labor have gone into making our downtown a wonderful place to visit and experience the spirit of Christmas,” Deana Wright, Murray Main Street director said. “Our downtown businesses are filled with great items to complete your shopping list and their windows are decorated to add to the festive atmosphere of downtown,” she said. On December 3, Dickens’ Alley will take place, a free event where Christmas stories are read, cookies are decorated and the community Christmas Tree is lit for the first time of the season. Murray Main Street has been involved in planning these events and decorations for the downtown area for nine years.

The Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau decided to add a little variety to your guest’s time in Murray. The Murray CVB has put together bags for holiday visitors with a visitor guide, dining guide, holiday guide, postcard, Murray Chamber of Commerce coupons and a small gift from CFSB. “During the holiday season Murray has so many new and returning visitors, we wanted to welcome them to share in all the community Murray festivities,” Erin Carrico, Murray CVB director said. “We strive to make each visitor feel at home when they come to Murray, and this is one way we are able to do this through-out the holiday season,” she said.

The bags will be distributed to each hotel in town, but can also be picked up from the Murray CVB at 201 South 4th Street between 8 a.m. and
5 p.m. weekdays through December 22. Each person is limited to four welcome bags. With the holiday season fast approaching there is much preparation taking place for exciting sales, events and celebrations to occur in the coming month. For more information about Murray’s events, shopping locations or hotels visit www.tourmurray.com or become a fan of “Murray, Kentucky” on Facebook for the most current information.

Hazel offers all-day antique shopping adventure

In the early 20th Century the small community of Hazel, Ky. became a booming railroad town. As time rolled on and the railroad industry began to dwindle, so did Hazel, according to www.hazelky.com. Then, in the early 1990's, the town found a new industry to breathe the life back into it -- antiques. Since then, the quaint little area has found its calling with fourteen antique specialty shops, unique restaurants and the Hazel Fine Art Gallery.

Only a seven-and-a-half mile drive from Murray, Hazel is an antique-lovers heaven. Park your car once and spend the entire day browsing the various shops. Be sure to stop for lunch at the Magnolia Tea Room, serving fresh soups, sandwiches on homemade bread, delicious cake and 27 varities of hot tea.
Or, set your sight on one of the tea rooms Murder Mystery dinners and enjoy an evening of "Who done it?" served up with a gourmet meal. State Line Ranch and Home, on the outskirts of Hazel, offers not only antiques, but also western-style gear. Angelique's Antiques sells pieces from the mid to late 1800s and vintage pieces as well as new items. The largest store in the area is Charlie's Antique Mall. Here, shoppers can browse the furniture, china, coins and more, then stop for an ice cream treat at the soda fountain.

This Saturday and Sunday is Hazel's Holiday Open House. Visit the stores to find that perfect gift and great holiday deals.

For a complete listing of Hazel, Ky. antique shops and other stores, visit www.tourmurray.com.

Main Street Merriment warms downtown this weekend

This Friday, December 3, Murray's downtown square will be filled with warmth, laughter and Holiday cheer. Every year, Murray Main Street arranges this event which draws hundreds of people downtown. The event will kick-off at 5:15 p.m. with a bit of caroling and the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree in front of the Calloway County Courthouse. Carter and Jackson Kimbro will be the offical Christmas Tree lighters this year. Their parents, Justin and Angie Kimbro, had this to say, "We are delighted that our sons will be representing the entire community at the tree lighting ceremony. The excitement in their eyes and joy in their expressions, when told they get to be the official 2010 tree lighters, encompasses the true meaning and spirit of Christmas."

Then, children have a chance to visit Santa Claus in his house and tell them their greatest Christmas wishes. Many of the downtown businesses will be open and offering specials, free food and live music in their stores.

Next, the crowd will head over to the historic Robert O. Miller Conference Center to warm-up with hot chocolate, decorations and some special Christmas performances. Playhouse in the Park will be performing twice, and Todd Hill and his Orchestra will provide music to put everyone in the holiday spirit.

The main attraction of Main Street Merriment is Dickens' Alley. A downtown alley-way just off the Square is transformed into 17th Century London. The alley is illuminated by the glow of thousands of Christmas lights and is lined with fresh greenery and holly. Dickens' Alley features carolers in period costume, pony rides, storytelling, Marley's Main Street Pub, and a fire to keep warm.

Main Street Merriment is a great way for families to celebrate the holidays together at no cost.

Murray Main Street
270.759.9474

Jeremy Bell
Murray City Council

How long have you lived in Murray?
Since I came to college here in 1988.

What is your favorite Murray memory?
My favorite Murray memory is going to Racer basketball games as a child, in college and now. The games were especially fun when I was in college because they were in Racer Arena. Everyone would come and the games would be very crowded. The most fun games were when Austin Peay came to town.

What is your favorite restaurant in Murray? What is your favorite dish there?
It's between August Moon and Sirloin Stockade. At August Moon I like the Black Bean Chicken and Rice and at Sirloin Stockade my favorite is the Sirloin Tips.

If you had $75 to spend in Murray, where would you spend it?
I would buy shirts and ties from J.C. Penney.

If you could describe Murray in three words to someone who has never been here, what would they be?
Great living place.

Photos by Jessica Heacock, Terry Little and Deidra Murdock.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 1-31: Christmas in the Park Central Park

Dec. 2: Socks for Santa Chamber of Commerce 4-7 p.m. 270.753.5171

Dec. 3: Main Street Merriment Court Square 5:15 p.m. 270.759.9474

Dec. 3: "Holiday Dancefest" Lovett Auditorium 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3-4: Live Nativity Scene Expo Center 270.809.3125

Dec. 3-19 (Fri-Sun only): "White Christmas" Playhouse in the Park www.playhouseinthepark.net

Dec. 4: Rotary Club Ham Breakfast Pagliai's 6-9 a.m. 270.753.5171

Dec. 4: Rotary Club Christmas Parade 10 a.m. 270.753.5171

Dec. 4-5: Hazel Holiday Open House, Hazel antique shops

Dec. 5: Murray Woman's Club Holiday Open House 270.753.9640

Dec. 5: Opening Reception & Art Market Holiday Open House Murray Art Guild 2 p.m. 270.753.4059

Dec. 11-12: MSU AQHA Horse Show Expo Center 270.809.3125

Dec. 11: Breakfast with Santa Murray Woman's Club 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Dec. 12: Murray Woman's Club Tour of Homes

Dec. 15: MSU basketball vs. Bethel CFSB Center 7 p.m. www.goracers.com

Dec. 17-19: Kentucky High School Rodeo Expo Center 270.809.3125

Dec. 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Murray Convention & Visitors Bureau!

Dec. 30: MSU basketball vs. SIU Edwardsville CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Dec. 31: "Motown New Years Eve Celebration" Kenlake State Resort Park 9 p.m. 270.474.2211

Jan. 1: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jan. 6: MSU basketball vs. Tennessee State CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Jan. 8: Antique Tractor Show Expo Center 270.809.3125

Jan. 8: MSU basketball vs. Austin Peay CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Jan. 14-15: West Kentucky Boat & Outdoor Show CFSB Center 270.809.5577

Jan. 14-15: Lonestar Rodeo Expo Center 270.809.3125

Jan. 15: Grascals Concert Lovett Auditorium 270.809.5577

Jan. 20: MSU basketball vs. Eastern Illinois CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Jan. 21-22: MSU Rodeo Team Jackpot Expo Center 270.809.3125

Jan. 22: MSU basketball vs. Southeast Missouri CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Jan. 28-29: Truck and Tractor Pull Expo Center 270.809.3125

Jan. 29: MSU basketball vs. UT Martin CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Feb. 5: Motocross Expo Center 270.809.3125

Feb. 7-10: "Jack and the Beanstalk" Lovett Auditorium 270.809.4421

Feb. 10: MSU basketball vs. Tennessee Tech CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Feb. 11: Rodney Carrington performs Lovett Auditorium 270.809.5577

Feb. 18-19: Bull Blowout Expo Center 270.809.3125

Feb. 24: MSU basketball vs. Morehead State CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Feb. 25-March 14 (Fri-Sun only): "Hairspray" Playhouse in the Park www.playhouseinthepark.net

Feb. 26-27: MSU AQHA Show Expo Center 270.809.3125

Feb. 26: MSU basketball vs. Eastern Kentucky CFSB Center www.goracers.com

Want more? For details on the events listed, and the most up-to-date events, visit our Calendar of Events Online.