Downtown Troy is kicking off the Christmas season this Saturday and Sunday with the annual Christmas Open House. In addition to shops and boutiques having specials for the holiday, other activities and treats will be available on The Square.

“We’ve been having this as far back as I can remember,” said Leigh Anne Windham with The City of Troy. “It’s always been the weekend before Thanksgiving, and it’s a big Christmas tradition to that kicks off the Christmas season in Troy.”

From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Pictures with Santa will be available in the gazebo, and prints will be available for purchase from the photographer. During the time that Santa is posing for pictures, children can decorate free ornaments on The Square.

From 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Santa returns to offer free horse and buggy rides, and children can decorate cookies on The Square.

Hot chocolate will be available on The Square for both days.

“The main focus is getting some shopping done for the holidays,” Windham said. “You can buy gifts, Christmas decorations to decorate your tree, your mantle and your home.”

Lindsey Darnell, owner of Hazel’s Gift’s & Engraving in Downtown Troy, looks forward to Troy’s Christmas Open House every year.

“I look forward to it because it kicks off the season in Downtown Troy,” Darnell said. “Residents look forward to it, and everyone always marks their calendar for it.”

Darnell said that the retailers enjoy being able to make the locals happy for the Christmas season and are excited to share what they have in store.

“We all work together to try to put together the best Open House possible to make it an event that they want to come to,” Darnell said.

The Downtown Dollars Giveaway is a major incentive for locals to shop in Downtown Troy. Two winners will be drawn at the end of each day, and each will receive a $500 Downtown Dollar certificate.

“To be entered, the participant must make three total purchases,” Windham said. “Purchases with merchants must be $25 or more and purchases with restaurants must be $10 or more.”

Participating businesses will keep sign the customers’ entry cards, and once there are at least three signatures, the card can be placed into a Downtown Dollar container, which will be located at each participating business.

“Downtown Dollars are also the perfect gift if you aren’t sure what to give them,” Windham said. “They can pick and choose as to what they get for themselves.”

Downtown Dollars are available for purchase at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce in Downtown Troy.

Winners of the Downtown Dollar Giveaway will be announced Monday and awarded Tuesday.