MARK YOUR CALENDAR

SATURDAY, NOV. 26

Fort Oglethorpe Christmas Parade & Market will be Saturday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m. Free to attend. Starts at Big Lots parking lot, south on Lafayette Road (US Highway 27) to Barnhardt Circle, then follow Santa to Stable 41 at 214 First St. for market and live music. To participate in parade: https:// fortogov.com/wp-content/ uploads/2022/08/CHRISTMAS-PARADE-FILLABLEFORM-WITH-HOLD-HARMLESS-FORM-r1.pdf.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans will hold a “Living History” event on Saturday, Nov. 26, beginning at 10 a.m. on Robin Street in Ringgold. The public is invited to attend.

SUNDAY, NOV. 27

The November monthly meeting of the Walker County Historical Society will be held on Sunday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. at the Marsh House in LaFayette for the annual meeting and election of offices. The program will be by Doug Carson with the story of William Crutchfield’s gold watch and the Andrew’s Raiders. How this watch made it back to Walker County is a fascinating tale. Membership in the society is $12 per year and is open to everyone.

THURSDAY, DEC. 1

Christmas light show, a large display of lights “dancing” to Christmas music, at Joe Stock Memorial Park, 302 N. Main St. in LaFayette, during the month of December. If weather is cold, roll up your windows and tune into FM 89.5 to listen while you watch.

Christmas parade in Rossville on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. Parade starts at 310 Ellis Rd., travels down McFarland Ave. and back to beginning point where free donuts and hot chocolate will be served. Would you like to have a float in the parade or help with the event? Call the Rec Association at 706-934-0514.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

The annual Candle Light Tours will be held at the Gordon-Lee Mansion in Chickamauga on Dec. 2, 3, 9, and 10, from 6-8 p.m. The mansion will be decorated in fresh-cut natural greenery, flowers, and berries with period accents and all lit by candlelight throughout the mansion. Live period music and hot cider with cookies will be provided for visitors to enjoy during their tour. The cost is $10 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under, with all proceeds going to benefit the Friends 501c3 charity for mansion enhancement. Call 423488-0861 for more information.

Ringgold’s Downhome Christmas parade on Friday, Dec. 2, from 6-8 p.m. The route will be on Nashville Street from Sparks Street to Depot Street.

LaFayette Christmas parade on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. Parade starts at Ace Hardware (512 S. Main St.), then north on Main St., then left onto Margaret St. and into the parking lot of the old LaFayette High School. After the parade, Santa will stop at the gazebo at Joe Stock Memorial Park for free photos with children. To participate in the parade, call 706-639-1550.

Rabbit Valley Christmas Markets with crafts, food, food trucks, hot chocolate and coffee truck, Santa Claus, and more. Special: Story time with Santa at the Depot. Dec. 2, 9, and 16, from 4-8 p.m. at 96 Depot St. in Ringgold. Free to attend.

Summerville’s Christmas parade will be held Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. This year’s parade theme is “Winter Wonderland.”

Trophies will be awarded by the Summerville Recreation Department for the top three float entries and prize money in the amount of $250 for first place, $100 for second place, and $75 for third place will be awarded by Summerville Main Street. The parade entry fee is $25. Parade entries are currently being accepted at the Summerville Recreation Department. To register as a participant or for additional information contact the Summerville Recreation Department at 706-859-0910.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

Summerville Main Street recalls the spirit of Christmases past with a live Victorian Christmas celebration. Journey into the past as Summerville’s turn-of-the-century downtown ushers you into the spirit of Christmas long ago. Enjoy live street performers and narrations, caroling, a live nativity by Son Rise Church and a Christmas market full of lots of food and shopping treasures, children’s games and more. On Saturday, Dec. 3, festivities will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on these events contact slocklear@ summervillega.org.

11th annual Reindeer Run: 5K race and 1-mile Fun Walk, a fundraiser by LaFayette Woman’s Club for a number of causes, on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m. Details: Visit https://www. athlinks.com/event/the-11thannual-lafayette-reindeerrun-351805 to learn more, see route and to register.

On Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m., Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will provide a special 30-minute program about the use of the Cherokee Light Horse as a measure to answer the issue of illegal settlement on Cherokee land. This program will take place at Moccasin Bend National Archeological District’s Gateway Site (10 Hamm Road, Chattanooga, Tenn.). Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather, and folding chairs are also encouraged for the program. On June 19, 1820, John Ross penned a letter to Gen. Andrew Jackson, who had authority over military affairs in the South, asking him to provide support for the removal of white settlers illegally living south of the Tennessee River and north of Ross’ home. The illegal inhabitants ignored a Jan. 1 deadline to depart, and now, it was time to face consequences. However, Jackson was unwilling to assist because his troops were involved in removing shrubs for a new military road being constructed through Tennessee. This meant the Cherokees had to employ their own force to remove the illegal settlers, and that force came in the form of the Cherokee Light Horse. What was the Cherokee Light Horse’s mission? Why were settlers crossing the Tennessee River to illegally squat on Cherokee land? The National Park Service invites you to explore these questions related to the scene unfolding in the summer of 1820 between presentday Chattanooga, Tenn., and Rossville, Ga.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

Ringgold Depot Opry on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 7-9 p.m. at Ringgold Depot at 155 Depot Street.

LaFayette Christmas bazaar, homemade crafts, gifts, art and more, on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m.3 p.m., at LaFayette Recreation Center, 638 Main St. To apply to be a vendor: https:// www.eventeny.com/events/ vendor/?id=5881.