Broken Arrow Holiday Tea Off

The annual celebration kicking off the holiday season will take place in downtown Broken Arrow on Thursday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Patsy Terry readies the storefront of Arrow Flowers for the Broken Arrow Holiday Tea Off celebration.

Most people don't start listening for the jingle of sleigh bells until the night before Christmas. But on Thursday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., Santa will make a special early appearance in honor of the 2012 Broken Arrow Main Street Merchants Association’s Holiday Tea Off in historic downtown Broken Arrow. "The same gentleman who has portrayed Santa for the past 19 years will once again stroll up and down our streets in full costume this year," says Patsy Terry, chair of the Broken Arrow Holiday Tea Off.

    Santa is not the only ­reappearance at what has become a rich Broken Arrow ­tradition. Once again, a horse-drawn carriage will be available to add to the fairy tale ­atmosphere of this event, which is described by Patsy as "a party up and down the street” as old friends reunite along an avenue transformed by thousands of twinkling holiday lights. Along the sidewalks, local musicians will create a holiday symphony through caroling and ­instrumentals, culminating in a full musical experience at the Farmer’s Market stage at the end of the street, where choral and dance groups from local schools will perform for the enjoyment of all. Members of the Main Street Merchants Association will hospitably throw open their doors to reveal festively ­decorated shop interiors, with many offering holiday themed refreshments in honor of the ­season. Also on stage at the Farmer’s Market at 8:45, a voucher drawing will be held for a total of seven vouchers: one for $500, one for $300, three for $100, and two for $50. You may register at any of the participating merchants throughout the evening and vouchers may be redeemed at any of the members’ locations listed on the back of the voucher. “You must be ­present at the drawing to receive the full face value of the ­voucher,” Patsy explains. “But if you are not present, you do receive one half the face value of the voucher drawn.”

    While plenty of great Christmas gift and décor items will be made available by merchants throughout their open houses, the Broken Arrow Holiday Tea Off, with all of its celebratory ambience and camaraderie, is free to the public. Members of the Main Street Merchants Association who have helped make this event and the voucher drawing happen include: Furniture Design Solutions, Anna Christy’s Salon, First National Bank, On the Corner, Arrow Flowers, Star Jewelers, AVB, BA Lodge #243, Bella Vita, Newcomb Chiropractic, Allison and Associates, Hollow Tree, Sewflakes, Nouveau Chocolates, Girlfriends, James Farris CPA, Seasons, and The Christmas Store. The Broken Arrow PAC has once again made its parking lots available this year, with a trolley available to shuttle people to the “Heart of BA” and back again, possibly with packages in tow and most assuredly with great holiday memories to warm hearts for yet another year.

For more information, contact

Broken Arrow Main Street Merchants ­Association

(918) 251-7484