Community Christmas

Five tree lightings, four parades, three holiday markets, two open houses, but no partridge in a pear tree

Twelve community Christmas celebrations are scheduled beginning Friday, Dec. 1, through Monday, Dec. 4. Following is an overview of where to find Christmas parades, tree lightings and holiday markets in your area. FRIDAY, DEC. 1 › East Brainerd Community Tree Lighting: 6-9 p. m., Heritage Park, 1428 Jenkins Road, music by community choirs, cookies and cocoa, photo-ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus. › Cravens House Open House: 6- 8 p. m., Lookout Mountain. Historic home will be decorated in manner similar to Civil War era, tours of house begin every 30 minutes. Reservations required: 423-821-7786. › Ringgold, Ga.,

Christmas Parade: 6 p. m., down Nashville Street to Ringgold Depot, where Santa, refreshments and entertainment wait. Ringgold Sleigh Rides will be offered Friday and Saturday nights, 6-10 p.m., for $3. The rides take Christmas visitors from Depot Street through the Nature Trail, which will be decorated with Christmas lights, to Kiwanis pavilion for hot chocolate. › Sewanee, Tenn., Tree Lightings: 4: 30 p.m. in University of the South’s University Quad; 5 p.m. in Sewanee’s Angel Park. University Avenue will be closed from 4 to 7 p.m. from Regions Bank to Highway 41-A. Donations of unwrapped toys and money requested for Operation Noel.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2 › Christmas Candlelight Walk: 4-9 p.m., Tellico Plains, Tenn., town square. Luminarias line sidewalks, strolling carolers, gingerbread house contest, music, live Nativity, Whoville characters and Grinch. Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. › Cravens House

Open House: 6- 8 p. m., Lookout Mountain. Historic home will be decorated in manner similar to Civil War era, tours of house begin every 30 minutes. Reservations required: 423-821-7786. ›

Red Bank Christmas Parade and Festival: 4- 8 p. m., festival in Red Bank City Park. Parade to park begins at 5:30 p.m., tree lighting at 6 p.m. ›

Red Bank United Methodist Church Youth Holiday Market: 3- 8 p. m., inside church gymnasium, 3800 Dayton Blvd. Handmade items along with Direct Selling companies in fundraiser for Youth Department’s mission activities. ›

Ringgold, Ga., Down Home Christmas Expo: 1-7 p.m., 155 Depot

St., Ringgold, Ga. Local crafters and vendors in Christmas market. › St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Christmas Bazaar :9 a.m .-3 p.m .,7 Ewing St., Blue Ridge, Ga. Silent auction and show of hand-crafted gifts, holiday decorations, Nativity scenes and more. SUNDAY, DEC. 3 ›

College daleOoltew ah Spirit of

Christmas Parade: 3 p.m., parade route down Little Debbie Parkway to Apison Pike. Followed by community celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. in Cambridge Square with music by seven choirs and ensembles, free pictures with Santa, shopping, hot chocolate and food. MONDAY, DEC. 4 › Summerville, Ga., Christmas Parade: 7 p.m., “The Sights and Sounds of Christmas,” $25 entry fee. Marching/walking units line up at Ingle’s parking lot near Highway 27 at 6 p.m., floats at Chattooga High School staging area at 5 p.m. Call 706-859-0900. — Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce

STAFF FILE PHOTO Participants in a prior Christmas parade ride motorcycles down Nashville Street in Ringgold, Ga.