The Shoppes of West Milton will come alive with the sounds and sights of Christmas during their 35th annual open house from November 21 to 24. The shops will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Twelve local businesses, ranging from antiques to baby items and even ice cream, will be fully decorated for the holidays during the event. Many businesses will offer specials and refreshments, making the atmosphere even more festive.

Door prizes will be given away at each participating location. Visitors will also have the opportunity to have a card stamped with each stop in a shop, and that card will earn them an entry into a special grand prize drawing.

Lynne Busse of Village Peddler explains that the event draws in entire families, as well as people from as far away as Indiana. Some guests return year after year, and word of mouth has helped the event grow over the past 35 years.

“It really moves the economy,” she says. “In those four days, we do half of our November business.”

This year’s participating businesses include Village Peddler, Treasure Chest, Now and Then Antiques, LaLa Sugarland, Revive-It, Wertz Variety, Baby Bump, Patterson’s Flowers, Café 19, Gleaning Place, Chelcie’s Designs, and Angel Heaven.

The Christmas Open House is just one of many events the shops sponsor. Another big open house will take place this spring at the end of April, and West Milton’s Project Revival sponsors additional events most months during the year.