Sallisaw is boarding the holiday train, and the city and Chamber of Commerce have numerous activities planned for this busy season.

Christmas in Sallisaw gets underway Sunday with the annual Merchants’ Open House.

Judy Martens, the chamber executive director, said, “This great event features merchants throughout the community opening the doors of their businesses with lots of holiday sales and new items on display.

“Also,” Martens said, “shoppers have the opportunity to win one of the baskets worth over $200 each by entering at all chamber member participating locations.”

Martens said shoppers should stop by the chamber office, at the corner of Cherokee and Wheeler, at 1 p.m. and get a map showing at the participating merchants and their locations. The open house is from 1 to 5 p.m.

And, to make Christmas memories, visitors can board an old-fashioned carriage for an old-fashioned Christmas ride around Sallisaw. The carriage rides may be boarded at the chamber parking lot, and are $5 per person.

Also, the chamber is giving away a $20 Chamber Check every hour. Shoppers do not have to be present to win one of four gift baskets, worth over $200 each, or one of the Chamber Checks, Martens said. Merchants donated the items for the gift baskets.

Many of the merchants participating are offering refreshments and 20 percent off for cash-and-carry on their merchandise with coupons available in the Nov. 12 edition of Your TIMES.

Shop Sallisaw Campaign

In this time of a slow economy Sallisaw merchants and the chamber are stepping forward to make shopping fun and perhaps even profitable in Sallisaw.

Martens said chamber members and businesses will be offering shoppers a chance to win a cash prize, ranging from $1,000 to $500 for shopping at their businesses. She explained that for each transaction or purchase, shoppers should ask for the yellow ticket. The shopper keeps half the ticket and the other half is delivered to the chamber.

Martens said that at noon on Dec. 12, the day of the Sallisaw Christmas Parade, the winners of the cash prizes will be decided on the lawn of Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in downtown Sallisaw.

“Hang on to that ticket,” Martens said, adding that winners must be present and have their half of the chosen tickets.

Martens said over $4,500 will be given away, and the Shop Sallisaw Campaign has been extended to include other merchants so that shoppers may stay in Sallisaw to buy for their Christmas list.

Call the chamber at 775-2558 for a complete list of participating merchants.

Christmas Lighting Ceremony

One of Sallisaw’s most cherished holiday traditions, the annual Christmas Lighting, when the city’s holiday lights are turned on by Mayor Shannon Vann, will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Keeping the tradition of the lighting for all the Christmas lights throughout the city, the chamber once again sponsors this event,” Martens said. “There will be hot chocolate and cookies for all, along with a visit from Santa!”

The voices of children and youths will also light up the night as choirs from Sallisaw Public Schools carol for those attending.

And each child will be able to visit with Santa, in the library’s gazebo, to discuss what gifts might be expected to arrive on Christmas eve.

Christmas Parade

The Sallisaw Christmas Parade, with the theme “Christmas at the Movies,” will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 12.

But entry forms will be available at the chamber office beginning Nov. 30.

“We are asking all float entries to follow the theme of their favorite Christmas movie,” Martens said. “Cash prizes will once again be awarded.

“As an added treat this year,” Martens continued, “we are very honored to have Lt. Gov. Jari Askins (who is running for governor) as our parade marshal.”

Entry forms should be returned to the chamber as soon as possible.

Martens said parade entries will line up at 5:30 p.m. for the parade, and after the parade, Christmas goodies will be given away to children ages 3 through 10 at the library gazebo.

For more information on any of the holiday events, contact the chamber office at 775-2558.