Bude's 'Shop the Block' event returns Saturday, Dec. 11

by Nicole Stokes
The 2021 Bude "Shop the Block" Christmas event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue. The 2021 Bude "Shop the Block" Christmas event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue.

A “Shop the Block” Christmas event will take place in downtown Bude from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11.

Franklin County Baptist Association Director Wes Arnold and Kristie Jones are once again heading up the pre-holiday shopping and entertainment event.

Last year’s “Shop the Block” Christmas experience featured multiple vendors selling a variety of hand-crafted goods as well as a petting zoo for children in attendance.

This year’s event will feature local arts and crafts displays, a fun zone for kids and pictures with Santa Claus, as well as a variety of vendors selling one-of-a-kind gift items.

“We’ve had about 10 (vendors) there the last couple of times we’ve had it,” Arnold said of several similar events.

“We’re also going to have churches doing food and the Bude Thrift Store on Main Street will be open, as well. The petting zoo was booked up this time, but we’re going to try to have puppets and balloons (for the children).”

The gathering will take place in the vacant lot across from Home Hardware Center in Bude.

Any area church or civic group that would like to be involved can contact Arnold by calling 318-230-0626 for additional information about the program.

Vendors interested in acquiring a booth space at the event — offered on a first come-first served basis — can contact Jones via email at kristieleigh75@yahoo.com.