Winter Round Up
Winter is here and there is no shortage of holiday fun to be found, whether you head over to the Harris Arts Center to take part in the annual Festival of Trees, spend an afternoon with Santa, donate time spreading cheer to local seniors, or take a ride to see the festive lights in nearby neighborhoods.
As you’re planning your holiday hijinks, be sure to consult this round up of places to catch festive lights and cheer.
Photos with Santa at RAK
Families and children are invited to take photos with Santa at RAK Outfitters in Calhoun, located at 455 Belwood Road, on Sunday, Dec. 1. Photos are free in exchange for a nonperishable food item. All food will be used to feed the hungry in Gordon County. Doors open at 10 a.m.
Belmont Baptist Handbell Choir Christmas Concert
For the ninth year in a row, the Belmont Baptist Handbell Choir will present its Christmas concert at the GEM Theatre in downtown Calhoun on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7:00 p.m. To gain admission into the show, patrons will need to donate a bag of groceries to be distributed to those in need through the Blewer Food Center.
Festival of Trees
The Harris Arts Center will continue its 15th annual Festival of Trees and silent auction from now until Dec. 8. The fundraiser is the center’s most successful each year, and more than 300 guests are expected to visit to take a look at the trees and other items on display before it ends this year. Included are more than 80 entries for the silent auction are table-top Christmas trees, wreaths, table centerpieces, specialty gift baskets and holiday creations. The Festival of Trees is open during HAC hours. Admission is free.
Christmas party and ornament exchange
Meadowdale Baptist Church, located at 1811 Rome Road S.W. in Calhoun, will host its annual Christmas party and ornament exchange on Monday, Dec. 2. The event will be held in the church’s Christian Center and will feature a pot luck supper. All ornaments brought for the exchange must be $10 and under. A prize will be awarded to the guest wearing the “Ugliest Christmas Sweater.” The party will begin at 6 p.m. and wrap up at around 8 p.m.
Wreath Making Workshop
The Gordon County Young Farmers and Red Bud Middle School Future Farmers of America are hosting a wreath making workshop on Thursday, Dec. 5, starting at 6 p.m. Cost is $25 which includes all supplies and a sandwich supper. All wreaths will be 12” evergreen wreaths. The class will be taught using pine, ribbon, and pine cones. Participants are welcome to take home their wreaths. The workshop will be held in the Red Bud Middle Agriculture Room, located at 821 Hunts Gin Road in Calhoun.
Adopt-a-Senior
Those looking to brighten up the holidays for the elderly in Calhoun-Gordon County have until Friday, Dec. 6 to sign up to be part of the first-ever Adopta-Senior program. Those who sign up will be asked to purchase a gift for their assigned senior. Community members interested in participating in the program can register to do so in person at the Calhoun Recreation Department.
Christmas Thrills
on the Hill
Weather permitting, Calhoun’s Paradise Dragstrip will host a car show, swap meet, and drag racing on Saturday, Dec. 7. Admission will be discounted for those who bring a toy to donate to children in Gordon County. The event is open for all vehicles of any year and make. Vendors will start setting up on the day of the event at 7 a.m. The celebrations will continue until 4 p.m. Cost is $25 for those competing the a drag race, car show, or swap meet. Spectator admission is $10. Kids aged 10 and younger get in free. Paradise Dragstrip is located at 500 Chatsworth Hwy 225 N.E. in Calhoun.
Snowball Dance
We Belong Inc., a non-profit that specializes in sponsoring, advocating for, organizing and running events for the local special needs community, will host its second annual Snowball dance on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organizers ask that those who intend on attending the event RSVP on Facebook using the “interested” or “going” buttons on the event page.
Pets R Us Christmas
Open House
Pets R Us will host its Christmas Open House celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7. Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with a visit from the Grinch. Santa will