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TRYON – From one end of Trade Street to the other, Friday’s Christmas Stroll brought out the young and the old to enjoy a festive night of holiday cheer to officially kick off the holiday season. The night was highlighted by the laying of the Christmas wreath on Tryon’s town mascot Morris the Horse, and Mayor Alan Peoples doing his best ‘Clark Griswold’ imitation to officially light Tryon’s Christmas tree in the town square.

Christmas music filled the air as carolers, dressed right out of a Charles Dickens novel, lifted their voices in song in the square. Others sharing the sounds of the season included a four-piece tuba band set up outside Café La Gaule, guitarist/busker Keith Troutman entertained by the Tryon Coffeehouse Co-op and a trio on guitar, banjo and harmonica offered a mountain music twist to their holiday renditions in the 80Six Gallery.

Merchants and businesses opened their doors and welcomed folks inside with hot chocolate, mulled cider, and holiday treats. Stuart Cook of Wild Petunias enjoyed the crowds that filled the store.

“Really busy,” stated Cook reflecting on the Stroll. “We had a really good night. It was nice because we could see all up and down the street that everyone was out and having a good time.”

The Christmas Stroll was sponsored by the Tryon Downtown Development Association whose mission is to support the town’s economic development. Sales at local shops were as brisk as the night air, and several business owners reflected on the success of the Christmas Stroll. Mountain Trail Soap Company owner Robert Mangum and his son Darius were busy refilling the racks on Saturday morning.

“We had a fantastic night,” said Darius as father and son worked to replenish stocks. “We totally sold out of products, so it was a great way to kick off the holidays for us.”

Ashley and Beau Menetre of The Nest Artisan Market were taking a moment to catch their breath on the overstuffed couches in the popular store that also serves as a gathering space for friends old and new. This was their ninth Christmas Stroll.

“It was great to see people out and getting into the holiday spirit,” said Ashley in the iconic space that once housed Missildine’s Drugstore. She was unable to break away from the shop, but Beau took the opportunity to walk around and check out the festivities.

“The town was very full which was really nice to see,” said Beau who spoke of all the small business owners and their support for one another. He said it was nice to see the restaurants at capacity, as well as the shops. 

Next door at The Tryon Bottle, owner Della Pullara and Carri Bass of Carri Bass Photography said the Stroll reminded them of a wonderful, old-fashioned Christmas.

“It’s all about the people,” said Bass surmising about what made the start of the holiday season special. “And creating a destination for people to come, enjoy and experience something unique like the Christmas Stroll.”