Businesses in Curwensville, Clearfield County, are teaming up to bring a little joy to this holiday season, and it all kicks off this Thursday.
 
“At first, there were just about five or six businesses, and it was a very, very modest start with no community wide activities,” said Carolyn Rowles, co-owner of The Strawberry Tree Shop and Tea Room.
 
Fourteen years later, more than 30 businesses, churches, and local organizations are getting into the holiday spirit. 
 
“We’re having a wine walk Friday night, which involves 13 businesses,” Rowles said. “Thursday evening, we are having a historical tour of the churches… and we will visit I think it is 9 different churches.”
 
This four-day celebration invites locals and out-of-towners to shop, eat, and check out open houses with treats, displays and giveaways.
 
It’s also an opportunity to help raise money to keep families warm this winter. 
 
“There is a Fuel-Aid Concert on Thursday evening at seven o clock at one of the churches here in town and by donation, money goes to the Ministerium’s Fuel-Aid Fund to raise money and help people who can’t quite cover their heating bills.”
 
Rowles helps bring holiday cheer to the town each year.  She works with Tyrone Milling to book carriage rides into Curwensville for Friday and Saturday.  Plus, she has already decked the halls in her business. 
 
“We have been setting up for eight solid days,” she said. “Last week we closed the second floor and took that week to turn this into gift buying and Christmas decoration.”
 
Rowles said it helps make a name for Curwensville as a destination, not just another small town to drive through.
 
“We just involve so many people. It’s been a blessing to the town.”
 
Rumor has it, Santa might just make an early appearance, too.