MATTOON - Library director Ryan Franklin and her staff were left inside with the cold during the first Celebrate Downtown Mattoon last year.

"We were involved last year, and we had decorated the library, but we didn't have many people come in. We only had four visitors that night, and they were getting out of the cold that night to warm up," Franklin said.

This year, Mattoon Public Library is a hub of the Friday celebration, organized by downtown merchants to bring back the magic of stores open at night for Christmas.

"We're really excited about it. We'll have an elf calling out numbers if we get the crowd we expect, and we'll have readings. Families can take their own photographs of their children with Santa Claus, and the first 30 children here will get a free copy of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' " Franklin said.

The interior will be decorated, as well as a large tree outside the library. The celebration, which includes 24 other participants in the business district that stretches from 14th to 21st streets and Richmond to Charleston avenues, is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Santa will be at the library until 8 p.m.

"We're ready this year for a crowd," Franklin said.

Bernie Debuhr of Debuhr's Feed and Seed was considering what decorations the business will add to the Western Avenue end of the Downtown Celebration. The business has been in the family since World War I, one of the oldest businesses still under the same roof in Mattoon.

Debuhr recalled how Christmas used to be a special time for the downtown when most stores were there, instead of the edge of town.

"I think the downtown is important to any town, and they're trying to get it going again," Debuhr said. "When I was a kid, I remember going to Woolworth's and Youngs and Penney's and the shopping for gifts at Christmastime."

The celebration will provide added incentives for adults to pop in the stores along Broadway, Western and adjoining streets. Punch cards can qualify for prize drawings.

Celebration coordinators Janice Moritz and Barb McKenzie are encouraging the participating merchants and organizations, such the Mattoon Area Family YMCA, to decorate for that evening.

Carolers and music also will be heard downtown, and the Camp New Hope train will take visitors on rides to each block.

hmeeker@jg-tc.com|238-6869