Later this month, Locust Street in Columbia will be turned into Lovers' Lane, thanks to the efforts of the Merchants Association of Columbia. The nonprofit organization will decorate the blocks of Locust Street with hearts that can be purchased and dedicated to loved ones.

Daisy Pagan, general manager of Murphy's Mercantile, got the idea for the Hearts on Locust fundraiser from her brother-in-law who is organizing a similar event in downtown Lancaster.

"I pitched the idea to the Merchants Association that we should do something similar here, and they agreed," Pagan said. "We will install the hearts on Feb. 11, and they will stay up until Feb. 22."

To order an 11-by-12-inch customized heart, people may visit https://columbiamerchants.com/hearts and fill out the order form. Purchasers may choose from one of four messages - "I Love You," "Kiss Me on Locust," "Be Mine" or "Happy Heart Day" - and can include a personalized greeting as well. Hearts can even be dedicated to pets, Pagan stated. After the hearts are installed, people are encouraged to bring their loved one downtown to look for their valentine.

The heart fundraiser is just one of several Valentine's Day-themed events happening in Columbia. On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., will host "Be Mine at the Market" from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. A collaboration with Vintage Revival Market, this event will feature about a dozen pop-up vendors specializing in vintage and handcrafted goods along with the market's year-round vendors. The Travelers Band will play love songs throughout the day as well.

Also on that day, horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered through Mount Bethel Cemetery, 700 Locust St., from 4 to 6 p.m.

Pagan said the mission of the Merchants Association of Columbia is to promote small businesses in town with a focus on Fourth Friday activities, and the heart fundraiser will tie into that. "Because Valentine's Day doesn't fall on a Friday this year, we'll be taking the hearts down on the Tuesday before Fourth Friday and then collecting them to keep at the Market House for people to pick up while they're in town for Fourth Friday," she stated. Fourth Friday festivities for February, which will happen on Friday, Feb. 25, will also include a chocolate walk encouraging people to visit eateries in town for chocolate-themed treats.

For more information on Hearts on Locust or the Merchants Association of Columbia, visit the aforementioned website or search for the organization on Facebook.