MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Merchants Association held its “Christmas in Middletown” on Dec. 9.

The event featured the “Passport to Fun” which had nine winners: ages 12 and under, Aaliyah J., Shawn H. and Jed C.; ages 13 to 18, Carmen R., Kristin K. and Amy H.; and over age 18, Meredith Golden, Jeff Kearney and Kelly Stuckey.

Two adult winners received firepits donated by Hardester’s Markets and the other winners received a $25 gift certificates from Community First Credit Union and Clover Dairy.

Passport to Fun players were asked to vote for the best-decorated storefront as well as share their favorite part of Christmas in Middletown.

Eighteen merchants/organizations received votes from the people, but the clear winner was MAMA member Wine Country Pet Boutique and Spa, with 20 votes. Owners Wendy and Mark Caporale will receive a $100 prize for a super effort.

Other businesses that received double-digit votes were The Bunk House with 14, Hospice Thrift Store with 13 and Grinders Steep with 11, also all MAMA members, although businesses don’t need to be association members to receive votes or to win the People’s Choice Award for best-decorated storefront.

The association reported that reading the comments about why people enjoy Christmas in Middletown is the best part of the job of organizing the event.

The most popular comment, by far, reflected the joy in the community, celebrating together and being outside with our families, friends and neighbors.

Many folks also reported that they enjoyed visiting the various businesses in town because they were open late for shopping and because they generously offered free treats.

Visitors mentioned they were glad to “discover” goods and services offered locally that they didn’t realize existed.

The children very often cited “Santa” as their favorite part, though “pony rides,” and “cookies and candy” were close runners-up.

Quite a few people also cited the decorations as the best part, while others were at a loss to pick one thing and wrote in “Everything!”

Christmas in Middletown 2017 was all that and more, and MAMA thanked the community for coming out to celebrate.