Downtown to stay open later Thursday nights

Downtown merchants have teamed up to provide Porterville residents with Customer Appreciation Thursday evening shopping during the holiday season.

Participating stores will be open until 7 p.m. and will offer special activities and promotions. Santa Claus will also pay Main Street a visit on these evenings, roaming the stores form 5 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. and will make a stop at a designated restaurant until 8 p.m.

During his evening stroll, Santa will be distributing candy canes along with free children’s meal certificates for Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. Parents will have an opportunity to take a picture of their children with Santa when he is at the following restaurant locations:

- Crave Cafe & Bakery, Dec. 6
- Dickey’s BBQ Pit, Dec. 13
- Hoagie’s Heroes, Dec. 20.

Carolers with Imagine Community Arts Center and the Harmony Magnet Academy of Performing Arts will sing while strolling through downtown.

Each Thursday event will also have participating merchants offering special promotions, holiday treats, and a gift ticket with purchase for the weekly drawing. Tickets are provided for every $10 in-store purchase, with a 10-ticket maximum per store. The Dec. 6 prize drawing is a trip to Half Moon Bay, a $400 value, and is sponsored by David Horowitz Jewelers.

Many stores are also open for Sunday afternoon shopping this holiday season.

For information, contact the Porterville Chamber of Commerce at 784-7502.