By Phoebe Donald Robinson / Community Columnist
Christmas is coming to Columbiana! “Have a Holly, Jolly, Trolly Christmas in Columbiana!” is this year’s theme chosen by the Columbiana Beautification Board.  Shop local, avoid crowds and traffic, and have a holly, jolly, trolly time in Columbiana.
Events begin the weekend of Nov. 14-15 with the Christmas Open House and Cookie Stroll. Businesses will be open on Friday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. sponsored by the Columbiana Merchants and Professionals Association. Delicious cookies with cookie bag will be available as you stroll and shop.
Nov. 29 is small business Saturday sponsored by American Express.  For every $1 you spend locally, 45 cents is funneled back to our community.
The 12 Days of Christmas are Dec. 1-12. Each purchase that you make with a participating CMPA business, you will be qualified to enter into a drawing for a daily prize. Prizes include: $25 gift certificates at Barn Brat, Piggly Wiggly, Regions Bank, Craig Dorris State Farm Insurance, Bernie’s, Busy Hands, Columbiana Inn, Renasant Bank and Brown Lumber. Dr. Tim Nettles is donating a $150 teeth bleaching system. To enter, simply shop locally.
The Columbiana Christmas Parade is Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. with Grand Marshal Ouida Mayfield lighting the Columbiana Christmas tree. Saturday, Dec. 6 is Columbiana Christmas Tour of Homes and Shelby County Arts Council Artist Market. Tour tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased at Busy Hands, Columbiana Barber Shop, Dale’s Beauty Salon, Davis Drug, Main Street Florist and Seventh Heaven.
On Dec. 11-12 “Have a Holly, Jolly, Trolly Christmas Tour.” Mayor Stancil Handley will guide a historical tour on the trolly as your view Christmas lights for a $5 suggested donation to the CMPA scholarship fund. Children ride free. Robert Robinson will sing Christmas carols on the old courthouse steps as hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Two trolley seating’s each night at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
And last is Mutts on Main Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13. Bring your pet for a picture with Santa for a suggested $25 donation to the Shelby County Humane Society with photos by Leigh Ann Langley from 9 a.m.-noon, and strut your mutt on Main Street at 11 a.m.