HUGHESVILLE – Hughesville can expect nothing less this year for the annual 5 to Drive holiday event which will kick off on Friday, November 25. Last month merchants from the Greater Hughesville Business Association (GHBA) completed their applications for the prize giveaways that will be awarded on December 6. Prizes will be on display in the front window of Doug Spotts Appliance store at 61 N. Main Street in Hughesville for viewing.

Meanwhile, cash raffle tickets will be availabe 8 weeks prior to the 5 to Drive event through participating business members and the FBLA Hughesville High School students.

At the last business meeting held on September 27 at OIP, GHBA president, Suzanne Holmes announced that the students will get a percentage of the proceeds they sell. “They really did a great job for us last year,” Holmes said. The grand prize will be $1,000 and $500 for second prize among five other one hundred dollar cash awards.

The business organization is meeting weekly to finalize plans for the holiday giveaways, namely a car donated by Kaiser Brothers. “The American Legion Post #35 has been quite generous,” announced Holmes as they have donated a thousand dollars. Members present unanimously voted to recognize them as an honorary member for 2016.

A holiday parade is also going to preclude the shopping event and this year some added features will offer more family entertainment. Holmes purchased an authentic Groton Sleigh circa 1894 and hopes to restore it in time for the parade. “I saw it sitting across from TJ’s Market one day, and purchased it immediately for a great price,” Holmes said. To add to it, two live reindeer from Sprucedale Farms in Bloomsburg are also expected to be part of this year’s parade. “We will be in front of the fire hall,” she added. An old fashioned candy store is also in the planning stages.

As of last year, horse and carriage rides will be availabe from the Wagners, as well as trolley rides, the ‘Golden Ticket’ award to ride with Santa in the parade, and two more Christmas trees have been added for the children’s Christmas party that will be held inside the fire hall.

As of new business, there was a discussion on the four ‘Welcome to Hughesville’ signs that are in need of repair. “Two of them need repaired badly,” Holmes said. “Since GHBA owns them, we are responsible for them.” She referred to the sign placed on Rt. 118 and also the one on Rt. 220 near the Angus Inn. The other two are located in front of Wolf Run Village on Rt. 220 and the Cycle Barn on Rt. 405. An assessment of what is needed will be obtained with the assistance from Dave Thomas who originally made the signs, but is no longer in business according to Holmes.

New members are encouraged to join and a membership drive is planned for April when applications will be mailed to businesses in the greater Hughesville area.

The next meeting was planned for Tuesday, October 4 at OIP.