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DOWAGIAC — Christmas may be more than a month away, but downtown Dowagiac businesses are gearing up to celebrate early.

The Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce will host its Holiday Open House Weekend Nov. 14-15. Sponsored by Alliance Cloud Service Beacon Dowagiac Hospital and Who Knew? Consignment, the open house will feature downtown businesses kicking off the holiday season offering holiday gift products, specials and promotions.  

Beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, the Ladies Library Association will hold its Fall Book Sale until 5 p.m. Specialty shops will host a Christmas Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering special discounts, drawings, and festive treats. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Beckwith Park, presented by Decorate Dowagiac, will take place at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 15 will feature several events across downtown, beginning with the 28th Annual Theta Mu Sorority Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dowagiac Middle School. Specialty shops will continue their Christmas Open House with discounts and treats from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Various activities will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown, including Pictures with Santa at Venue 132, pet photos at Bow Wow Bakery & Bath – courtesy of Blue Print Photography – and dropping off unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots at Beckwith Park. Attendees can also donate mittens to the Mitten Tree at Yarn on Front and the Red Barn Evergreens will be selling wreaths and trees at Beckwith Park. The Ladies Library Association Fall Book Sale will also continue.

Live Reindeer will be present at Beckwith Park from the Reindeer Ranch from noon to 2 p.m. and a dance performance by Green Dance Co. will take place at 1 p.m. at Beckwith Park.

Extended holiday shopping hours will continue later in the season on Thursdays in December (Dec. 4, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18), with participating retailers remaining open until 7 p.m.