Thanksgiving is still a week away, but the people of Columbia are already feeling the Christmas spirit. Yesterday, residents and USC students turned out for the 31st annual Vista Lights festival.
The event, which spanned from Assembly Street to the Gervais Street Bridge, urged attendees to wine, dine and shop in the various local shops and restaurants that dot the Vista district.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for everybody to come out and enjoy the closed streets — eat, drink, shop,” Vista Guild executive director Meredith Atkinson said.
Atkinson stressed the importance of the Vista as a hub for arts and entertainment. Street performers lined the streets — Santa, tap dancers and carolers all competed for guests’ attention as they meandered through the festively decorated businesses and restaurants.
The tree lighting ceremony featured all resident Vista dancers and musicians, and the main stage hosted a variety of acts. The Reggie Sullivan Band picked at the bass and electric guitar in front of a crowd full of dancing children, head-nodding seniors and excited groupies.
In addition to the live music, businesses opened their doors, offering special offers and samples for eager guests. A Porsche and Nissan sat under the string light-lined walkway with big red bows and The Peanut Man was filled with kids begging their parents for candy.
“I really like how the whole Vista area is involved in promoting their businesses,” second-year pharmacy student Sara Hicks said.
Over 90 shops were opened, from Liberty Taproom to Marble Slab Creamery.
“The free samples are appealing to everyone, especially to the college students,” Hicks said.
While college students might enjoy the free food, second-year pharmacy student Casey Solana believes that Vista Lights can be enjoyable for anyone.
“The Christmas decorations are great, and all the Santas, and I think it appeals to all the age groups,” Solana said.
The event brought out many festive attractions such as child-sized nesting dolls, old-school carolers and holiday-themed foods.
The event marked the start of holiday season for the Midlands and Atkinson hopes Vista Lights prompts residents to do their gift shopping in the Vista.
"Obviously we want to support our local businesses, our mom and pops and all of our restaurants and this is a great time of year to showcase all of that," Atkinson said.