Lack of funds sinks St. George Holiday Stroll

ST. GEORGE — The usual pageantry may not be an option this year, but members of the Downtown Business Alliance of St. George are hoping to keep the spirit of the holidays in town nevertheless.

The city didn't have enough discretionary funds to help sponsor a Holiday Stroll that has been running for the past three years. The stroll is a four-week event that features performances, singers, food stands and craft booths every Friday leading to Christmas, said alliance member Jerry Christensen.

The city usually helps us with the stroll, but they weren't able to this year, said Christensen, an owner of Main Street Antiques. Because of it, there was no way we could do it this year.

Christensen said that many of businesses along Main Street are trying to keep their stores open extra hours so people can view the lights and get in their holiday shopping.

According to TheSpectrum.com, the city made 10 percent budget cuts across all departments this year when the economy began to tank. Sales-tax revenues in the city are reportedly down another 10 percent.

"The Holiday Stroll brought down thousands of people for those four weeks," Christensen said. "And we're going to miss them."

— Clayton Norlen t