By Jennifer Alexander Ruple

Let the holiday season begin at Downtown Delights, Red Bird Sylvania’s annual shopping extravaganza, to be held Nov. 9 from 11 am to 7 pm in downtown Sylvania. During the event, shops, galleries and eateries will offer a plethora of in-store specials, free gifts with purchases, extended hours, live music, wine tasting and holiday cookies while shoppers enjoy the festive atmosphere. “Downtown Delights is always a fun event to grab your friends and kick off your holiday shopping,” said Katie Cappellini, executive director of Red Bird Sylvania.
The theme for this year’s Downtown Delights is Holiday Cookies. Each shopper will be provided with a Red Bird cookie box to take to businesses serving as cookie stops. At the end of the evening, shoppers will have a box of cookies. “The cookie theme was so popular last year, it’s back and better than ever for this year’s event. Think of a big cookie swap party as you shop all the specials from our Main Street businesses. Pick up a special Red Bird cookie container from a participating business and add a cookie to it at every stop for a sweet assortment of holiday treats,” Cappellini explained.
Businesses hosting a cookie stop include Angela’s Angels, Art Supply Depo, Beautiful Blooms by Jen, Bowinkles, Domus Home Goods, Madeline’s Patisserie (formerly Element 112), Erin Ann’s Homemade Ice Cream, Fiddle Stix Boutique, Finch & Fern Book Co., Fuller Art House, Harmony in Life, Hip To The Groove, Hudson Gallery, Dallas Taproom, Main Street Sweets, Ragazza, Simply Stacked and The Village Candy Shoppe.
Downtown Delights will offer holiday shoppers more than just cookies. Businesses such as Beautiful Blooms by Jen, Simply Stacked, The Village Candy Shoppe, Reve, Art Supply Depo and Main Street Sweets will offer in-store specials; Angela’s Angels, Harmony in Life and Domus Home Goods will offer a free gift with a purchase; Fuller Art House and Hudson Gallery will have new exhibits; and Hip To The Groove will offer wine tasting and live musical entertainment.
“Hip To The Groove looks forward to this season. Our Red Bird organization and chamber of commerce do such an amazing job,” said Lori Colenzo, the boutique’s co-owner. “The twinkling lights, the festive decorations and the warm and inviting atmosphere make our city a truly special place to be.”
When it’s time to take a break, several eateries including the Dallas Taproom, Chandler Café, Madeline’s Patisserie, and Inside the Five will be open for lunch.
For a complete list of holiday offers and entertainment, visit redbirdsylvania.org/downtowndelights.
Mark your calendars for two additional holiday events from Red Bird Sylvania. Black Friday/Shop Small Saturday will be held downtown Nov. 24-25. And finally, experience the magic of downtown during Miracle on Main Street. The two-day event will be held Dec. 1-2 and will feature the annual tree lighting ceremony, holiday carolers and crafters, and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.