Holiday show breaks records

WINTERVILLE — Though the final numbers are being tallied, Pitt Community College Foundation officials are positive this past weekend’s Down East Holiday Show was a record success.

According to Susan Nobles, executive director of the PCC Foundation, the three-day event drew 8,300 people to the Greenville Convention Center between Friday and Sunday. That’s nearly 2,000 more than the show’s previous attendance record of 6,500, which was set last year.

Nobles said this year’s Holiday Show featured 123 vendors and is expected to generate more than $63,000 for student scholarships and educational activities at PCC.

“We are delighted with the results of the Holiday Show,” Nobles said. “It was a great opportunity to allow us to connect with many local retail and service businesses as well as shoppers.

“The proceeds from the show will assist us in providing scholarships for up to 120 students. The demand for scholarships has dramatically increased this year with our increased enrollment, so these funds can definitely be invested in our students’ success.”

Started in 2001, the Down East Holiday Show has become well-known throughout Eastern North Carolina as a fun way to kick off the holiday shopping season. Some of the items for sale during the event included art, music, jewelry, decorations and accessories.

Show attendees were also treated to a variety of product demonstrations and food preparations by Chef Pia Van Coutren, who owns operates restaurants in New Bern and Washington.

This year’s show, which was sponsored by Hardy’s Appliance and Furniture of Snow Hill, also featured Santa Claus posing for photos with children and ‘Hubby Parking,’ an area set aside for people needing a break from shopping.

Nobles said Holiday Show organizers have received positive feedback from many who attended this year’s event as well as from vendors who have already begun reserving spaces in the 2009 show.