FRIEND - Christmas came early to the city of Friend.

The second annual 'Christmas on Maple Street' festival took place Thursday evening in downtown Friend from 5-9 p.m. The event was free to the public, and featured 36 different businesses and vendors.

The event was organized by Christy Svehla - the manager of the Freckled Door Store in downtown Friend. She started 'Christmas on Maple' with the goal of giving the downtown area some new life.

"I really wanted to liven up downtown," she said. "I want to get some good quality shopping back to Friend, so I'm excited about what (Christmas on Maple) will do for our community."

Svehla estimated anywhere from 700-800 people passed through on Thursday night. On top of all the shopping, there was also a sleigh and Santa's reindeer on display for families to take pictures with.

Members of the Exeter-Milligan/Friend FFA chapter were also present to collect donated gifts for children at Nebraska Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center who are waiting for organ transplants, or who are recovering from transplants.

Anyone who brought a gift then entered their name for a chance to win one of many door prizes donated by the vendors.

Friend also has their 13th annual Christmas Festival coming up on Dec. 11.