A Highland House Christmas Spirits Shopping Event will be held Friday in conjunction with a Hillsboro Uptown Business Association First Friday event.
The “spirits” event is being hosted by the Highland County Historical Society from 5-9 p.m. at its museum at 151 E. Main St. in Hillsboro. It will offer shoppers a chance to peruse the Highland House Museum Gift Shop and make purchases before the shop opens to the general public the following day.
There will be a cover charge of $10 for non-members of the historical society and $8 for members. But there will also be an assortment of wine and hors d’oeuvres for visitors to enjoy as they shop in the freshly-filled gift shop.
More than 30 local artisans have stocked the shop with various wares and there are several books by local authors, society member Avery Applegate said.
“Add some lovely antique pieces for sale and you have a shopping event that provides you with gifts of diversity and uniqueness that you will find no where else,” Applegate said. “While you are there be sure to browse through the museum which has been transformed into a spectacular ‘Golden Christmas’ display in honor of the society’s 50th anniversary.”
There will be gift wrapping available with any tips benefitting the historical society.
The official grand opening of the gift shop for the general public will be held Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop will then be open on Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas from 1-4 p.m., and possibly for another special event or two. There is no fee to enter the Highland House on those days.
Also on Friday, HUBA will host a First Friday Wine and Art Walk in the uptown Hillsboro area from 5-8 p.m. HUBA president Joe Mahan said some of the businesses will be hosting special artisans either in front of or inside their stores. He said others will be observing an open house.
Mahan said one of the bigger HUBA events will be held Saturday, Nov 28 when the annual Hillsboro Christmas Parade will be illuminated with a new starting time at 7 p.m. Several other activities are being planned in conjunction with the parade.
“You can take part in (the First Friday) event and still have plenty of time to shop the museum until 9 p.m.,” Applegate said. “We are looking forward to seeing lots of familiar as well as new faces at this museum event.”
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
