WINTERVILLE—The Pitt Community College Foundation’s 24th Annual Down East Holiday Show drew more than 10,400 people to the Greenville Convention Center and generated an estimated $150,000 for student scholarships and educational activities.
The show, which is the charitable organization’s largest scholarship fundraiser each year, took place Nov. 6-9. It featured 188 small businesses selling items and services ideal for holiday entertaining, gift-giving and decorating.
PCC Special Events Coordinator Jennifer Hemink said she was pleased with the turnout, particularly since the event coincided with a home football game at East Carolina University.
“We never really know what to expect when there is a home ECU football game the same weekend of the Holiday Show, but the attendance was incredible,” Hemink said. “People from all over eastern North Carolina were out getting a jumpstart on their holiday shopping.”
Hemink said this year’s fundraising total was nearly $1,000 more than what was raised in 2024. With the addition, the Down East Holiday Show has now generated approximately $2 million for the PCC Foundation since it was first held in 2001. She added that PCC Student Ambassadors held a gift basket drawing during the show and raised another $2,400 for scholarships.
“We had such a variety of items being sold throughout the convention center, making it easy for shoppers to knock out a majority of their shopping lists,” Hemink said. “The vendors were thrilled with all the shopping going on, and around 130 of them have already signed up to return next year.”
As the PCC Foundation looks ahead to next year’s 25th anniversary Holiday Show, Hemink said she’s amazed at how much the event has grown—from several dozen vendors and college program exhibits to more than 180 small businesses and a special Thursday night of adults-only shopping.
This year’s special night drew 1,738 shoppers, nearly 400 more than last year. Another 3,132 attended on Friday — the show’s highest single-day turnout.
Hemink was quick to point out that none of this year’s success would have been possible without the help of 240 volunteers.
“The Down East Holiday Show could not happen without our volunteers, so I am very thankful for everyone who helped make this year’s event a tremendous success,” she said. “We had hundreds of volunteer spots filled by faculty, staff, students and student-athletes, PCC Foundation Board members, PCC Trustees and members of our community.”
The 2026 Down East Holiday Show is scheduled for Nov. 5-8 at the Greenville Convention Center.