A new Junior Main Street youth program is giving local students hands-on experience working with downtown Columbia businesses and helping run community events, organizers said during the Columbia Main Street Christmas Parade broadcast.

Kelly Johnson, Columbia Main Street director, said the program pairs students with downtown businesses to learn leadership, teamwork and promotional skills. "The Junior Main Street program has children ... they range from every school," program leader Caliente Conway Glenn said, describing monthly meetings and hands-on projects.

Amaya, a senior and one of about 25 students in the first cohort, described her role on parade night: "I passed out glow sticks to all the little kids along the street," she said. She and other Junior Main Streeters also helped organize a movie night showing the local Hannah Montana film and assisted at First Fridays and fall festival activities.

Program leaders and volunteers said the initiative is open to students in grades nine through 12 across Murray County and that organizers plan to recruit again for 2026. Johnson and Caliente said the program aims to connect youth with downtown businesses and encourage future civic engagement and small-business support.

Organizers encouraged families and businesses interested in participating next year to contact Columbia Main Street for details on enrollment and business partnerships.