Christmas magic lights up downtown Florence

FLORENCE — The Pee Dee is feeling the Christmas spirit. The magic of Christmas is especially strong in and around downtown Florence. The Florence Downtown Development Corp. and Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce are encouraging residents to shop local retailers and dine in local restaurants. The Downtown Development Corp. has put up its Downtown Holiday Music and Light Show, which originally was scheduled to start Dec. 1. A rainy weekend forecast pushed the opening date until early next week — either Dec. 3 or Dec. 4 — whenever the rain stops. The light show is synchronized with Christmas music that will be playing from 5:30-10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31, Florence Downtown Development Manager Hannah Davis said. The light show…