It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year in Troy, and this year marks a special anniversary. The annual bell ringing ceremony happened Wednesday in Monument Square.

It was 200 years ago that Clement C. Moore’s poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ first appeared in the Troy Sentinel. The poem is credited with popularizing Christmas gift giving and the anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus.

The City of Troy, Downtown Troy BID and Rensselaer County Regional Chamber hope its age-old message continues to inspire shoppers. The Troy Victorian Stroll is happening Sunday, December 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a tree lighting in Monument Square at 4:30 p.m.

“Troy has a unique collection of not just shops, but also entertainment opportunities, restaurants, brew pubs. It is an ideal location to do your shopping. It provides you with gifts that you cannot find at the mall and it makes people feel a little bit more special,” said Mayor Patrick Madden (D – Troy).

The White House is also paying tribute to the famous poem’s bicentennial in its decorations this year.