Downtown/Canal Street

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Photos and videos by Sera Frederick. Mayor Adam Barringer welcomed several hundred people to the second annual "Christmas on Canal" on Friday evening with the lighting of the NSB Christmas Tree. Among the local dignitaries he recognized were Canal Street merchants Debbie Peterson and Cindy Jones, who spearheaded the event to encourage shoppers to consider historic Canal Street for bargains.

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The rain stropped just in time Friday night as Santa Claus prepared to flick the switch lighting the Christmas tree on Canal Street kicking off the holiday season.

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Photos by Dale Smith.

A Living Nativity scene on Canal Street Friday night brought into focus the true mean of the holiday season.  Participants were from St. Paul’s Catholic Church in New Smyrna Beach. In the inset photo, Tiona Stone, 4, of New Smyrna Beach, reacts to the chugging of the kiddie train she boarded that just took off on Canal Street Saturday morning. Tiona is the daughter of Brandon and Lacey Stone. The family enjoyed the sights and sounds of Coastal Market on Canal, including seeing Santa Claus. "Christmas on Canal" was a veritable wonderland for countless families looking for bargains at the start of the holiday shopping season.

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – Festive holiday carols echoed up and down Canal Street Friday night as merchants kicked off Christmas on Canal with a gala Christmas tree lighting ceremony and holiday cheer. And the holiday cheer continued well into Saturday with kiddie rides and other festive activities designed to make "Christmas on Canal" a positive shopping experience for families.

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Photos by Dale Smith.

Wal-Mart at the NSB Regional Shopping Center on State Road 44 wasn't the only happening place in New Smyrna Beach for Black Friday holiday shoppers. Canal Street and Flagler Avenue merchants showcased bargains too. Bright lights and a window of a Christmas wonderland at the Pink Flamingo at Petals, 201 Canal Street, beckoned shoppers Friday night. 

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Merchants on Canal Street saw a busy day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, having hoped for a better-than-usual influx of shoppers from a year ago when the economy was bottoming out.

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  NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick.

The video was shot by NSBNEWS.net during the 2009 inaugural Christmas on Canal, which featured a towering and beautiful artificial Christmas tree, complete with lights. The courtesy photo shows Hedda the Heron, the mascot for Historic Canal Street Merchants Association, with calendars for sale with the mascot's likeness to help pay for local activities.  The tree lighting starts at 6 p.m. and NSBNEWS.net will have full coverage of all of the festivities. 

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – The holiday season kicks off in earnest Friday as Canal Street transforms itself into the second annual Christmas on Canal Street extravaganza: Five days of activities the whole family will enjoy have been designed to bring people downtown for entertainment, shopping and dining. Event organizers say they’ve combined Friday’s Christmas caroling with Spark the Spirit night in hopes of attracting more people downtown.