Mark December 6th on your calendar. This is the day of the annual Christmas Walk in Old Town Florissant. The festivities begin at 1:00 P.M. on rue St. Francois and end at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall with the lighting of the Christmas tree. All retail shops and restaurants will be open, so you can combine your day with eating, shopping and enjoying the holiday festivities.

Many family activities are planned for this day. Start your afternoon with a ride on the Trolley. If you start at St Ferdinand Shrine take advantage of the free tours of the Shrine. The Shrine will be beautifully decorated for the Christmas Season, so go inside and enjoy this treasure of the City of Florissant. The Shrine is not only a Florissant Landmark but is on the National Register of Historic Places. While visiting make a stop at the gift shop. Here you may find that perfect gift for someone. While on the St. Ferdinand Shrine Campus, visit the second floor of the Schoolhouse and browse through the many books available at our Book Fair. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine.

Your visit to the area wouldn't be complete without stopping by Click's Heating and Cooling at 124 rue St. Francois - at the intersection of rue St. Francois and St. Ferdinand - for some hot apple cider and cookies. The cookies and the hot cider apple are the best! The Click Family each year does an outstanding job and their cookies and hot apple cider go fast! So get there early!

Santa Claus will arrive in Florissant at 2:00 p.m. He will arrive on the trolley and will travel rue St. Francois up to the Government Center . Santa Claus will welcome all children to visit with him from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Government Center is at the intersection of rue St. Francois and Florissant Rd. This is a very popular event, so get there early!

Take a break and visit the Senior Dining Center in the 600 block of rue St. Francois. Here you might find just the perfect Christmas decorations you have been looking for, while enjoying free cocoa and cookies. Florissant Old Town Partners sponsors this event.

At 1:00p.m. On Dec. 6th two more Memorial Plaques will be placed on St. Francois honoring Gregorie Aubuchon, Florissant's first Mayor, and Charles Castello, Mayor of Florissant from 1865-1890 and 1892-1893.

Gabrielle Stahlschmidt is a rising St. Louis TEEN performer who will be performing at this year's Christmas festivities. She has also won numberous awards and vocal competitions. Most notably, Gabrielle won the six state region Mid America Music Association senior division in 2007. She has just completed her first music video and she is currently working on her second music video project. Her recordings are available on itunes. See her at www.Gabriellesings.com.

While traveling up and down the street in the trolley, stop by all the retail shops and "shop 'til you drop". Shops open will be: The Silver Moon Stencil Shop, Florissant Old Town Marketplace, Village of the Blue Rose, Dooley's Florist, Korte's Frames and Gifts, Generations Antique Shop on rue St. Francois. Restaurants open will be City Diner, Helfer's Deli and Hendel's Market Café. Moon Beans Coffee Shop at St. Jean and rue St. Francois will also be open. Visit the unique Candy Depot at the intersection of rue St. Catherine and Florissant Road.

Topping off the entire day will be our annual Christmas Parade in Florissant. The parade will begin from Old St. Ferdinand Shrine at 5:30 p.m. and will travel up rue St. Francois to City Hall. At 6:00 p.m. will be the Christmas Lighting ceremony. The Christmas Lights of Florissant will be turned on with the switch being thrown by Mayor Lowery. This is truly a Florissant tradition and one you will not want to miss. If you want to be a part of the parade or if you need information about the Christmas Walk call Florissant Old Town Partners at 314-837-0033.

Set aside December 1st and spend it in Old Town Florissant. The trolley is available from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

GREAT FLORISSANT GIFTS

If you are looking for that perfect gift you have come to the right place. Florissant Old Town Marketplace 525 rue St. Francois has John Pils Prints of Florissant. Also available are Ornaments, which depict homes and businesses in Old Town Florissant.

You can also purchase a memorial brick from Old Town Partners. The brick will be placed on either side of the front sidewalk at the Florissant Old Town Partners Office at 601 rue St. Charles. This will make a wonderful Christmas Gift for someone. For more information about the bricks or other gifts call 314-837-0033