The Northway block in Ross celebrates summer Christmas

A long time ago, someone came up with the idea of ​​celebrating winter's most popular holiday in the midst of the heat of summer.

Stories about the origin of Christmas in July vary, ranging from the text of a French opera from 1892 to a two-day celebration at a North Carolina summer camp in 1933. The concept was popularized by a 1940 film of the same name directed by Preston Sturges.

Be that as it may, it has become quite common to see Santa Claus dressed in sunglasses, a Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts, sipping from something with an umbrella sticking out of it.

Or maybe a Christmas character almost as popular will appear.

Dr. Seuss' beloved villain-turned-hero, the Grinch, was accompanied by Cindy Lou Who, over two years old, on July 25 when she visited the Northway block in Ross to take part in Christmas festivities during the mall's weekly farmers market.

The event included food trucks, special offers and the kickoff of The Block's annual gingerbread house decorating contest, for which participants have until November 8 to prepare their entries. Hey, time flies when you're, er, baking.

Speaking of which: There are only four shopping months left until Christmas in December!

The Block Northway Farmers Market will be held on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. through Sept. 26, between DSW and Land's End on the upper level. For more information, visit theblocknorthway.com/farmers-market.