The holiday season kicked off with kiddie train rides, Christmas open houses at area businesses, some holiday caroling, comments from Memphis Mayor William Reckenberg, and even a visit from Santa Claus on the Scotland County Courthouse square this past Saturday afternoon.

Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce President Laura Willier attributed the sizeable crowd to warm weather conditions as a number of holiday revelers gathered on the west side of the square for the Memphis Bucks drawings.

Ten dollar Memphis Bucks winners included Linda Briggs, Alyssa Clair, Angel Chance, Jessica Campbell, Keith Chance, Kim Smith, Tonya Anders, Laura Dalton, Susan Rynearson, and Sierra Smith.  Twenty dollar Memphis Bucks winners were Tina Parrish, Sharleen Snyder, Kristi Eggleston-Wood, Mike Smith, and Kristi Eggleston-Wood.  The fifty dollar Memphis Bucks winner was Brooke Smith.

The Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that they are sponsoring the annual Decorated Lighting Contest.  Anyone wanting to enter their residence or the residence of a neighbor, may do so by stopping in and signing up at the Memphis Democrat on the west side of the Memphis square during their regular hours.

Winning residences will receive Memphis Bucks, with third place receiving $40.00, second place $60.00, and first place $80.00.  The best decorated business will receive a holiday- themed gift basket. 

The holiday light judging will take place on the evening of Saturday, December 15th.