Join the merchants of downtown Rochester on Monday, November 24 from 6 – 9 p.m. when they offer their customers Lagniappe (Creole for “a little something extra”) in appreciation for their support throughout the year. Due to popular demand, this year Lagniappe is scheduled one week before its traditional Monday after Thanksgiving Date.
The Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA) also will offer some Lagniappe with the debut of The Big, Bright Light Show. The program will begin at 6:45 pm on E. Fourth Street with help from the Mayor, Channel 7’s Dave LewAllen and a special appearance by the man in red, Santa Claus himself, sponsored by Re/Max Defined. The lights will officially light-up downtown Rochester at 7 p.m. Make sure to bring your cameras because kids will then have the opportunity to share their Christmas lists with Santa from 7:15 – 9 p.m. 
As part of Lagniappe, the DDA announced it is partnering with Rochester Area Neighborhood House on “Kicks for a Cause,” to help the kids and adults in our community with a basic need many take for granted – shoes and socks. Please bring new shoes or socks in any sizes to the corner of E. Fourth & Main from 5 – 9 pm. Help us “kick” off the season by making the holidays merry and bright for our community. All types of shoes and socks are needed – athletic, casual and dress.
In addition, free horse-drawn carriage rides will be available at E. Third and Walnut Street. The rides will run from 6 – 9 p.m. There will be a number of free holiday music performances to help visitors get into the holiday spirit; the Meadow Brook Carolers, Jennifer Kincer Catallo Voice Studios and more!
Following Lagniappe, The Big, Bright Light Show will run nightly from 6 p.m. – midnight through Jan. 4, 2015. Also, don’t forget Small Business Saturday on November 29 and the Kris Kringle Market, an open-air holiday market, Dec. 5 – 6. For more information on all Rochester DDA events, please call 248/656.0060 or visit www.DowntownRochesterMI.com.
About Sarah Hovis