Christmas shopping event coming to Muskogee

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (KTUL) — A full two and a half hours before the Muskogee Christmas Parade was scheduled to begin people were already claiming their spots along the route.

Saundra Clark & Bobby Williams had one of the best seats in the house, across from the main stage.

“This is our first time being here,” she said.

It’s also the first time they’re attending a parade as a recently engaged couple.

“I just got engaged last week,” she smiled.

Meanwhile, just down the street and excited for a different reason…

“We will have 43,” said Charles Crawford.

That’s the number of vendors that Crawford has lined up for a new event next week that’s designed to get folks to come downtown and shop.

“A lot of other small towns have been really successful in doing these little market areas and artisan expos and we’re doing the same here and this will be it’s first inaugural year,” he said.

An effort that will hopefully become music to the ears of the local economy just like The Chute has done for Sapulpa. And speaking of music…

“We have drums, we have guitars, we have bass guitars, we have keyboards,” said Brock Moore of Square Deal Music and Sound.

Their store is located right next to the lot being decorated by Charles and they’re excited to see how the effort pays off.

“Hopefully it brings more people into the store and shop local,” he said.

And next year…

“That there will be more and more and more and more businesses will participate,” said Crawford.

The Muskogee Christmas Parade, a grand event in and of itself, soon to be followed by an up and coming shopping tradition as well.