Community Christmas celebrations

Parades, tree lightings gift markets and more

Between two to three dozen Chattanooga Market vendors are gathering in Collegedale this weekend for a Christmas Market at Collegedale Commons.

The market is located on Swinyar Drive on a site adjacent to Collegedale City Hall.

The Christmas market is being held inside a large tent on the site of the new Commons from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 25- 26. It’s sponsored by Chattanooga Market.

According to Melissa Siragusa, market spokeswoman, products for sale will range from jewelry to soaps, candles and artisan foods. There will be food trucks on-site each day and holiday music will play to amp up the Christmas spirit.

“Santa will be there both days and available for photos,” says Siragusa. These will be do-it-yourself photos, she adds, not a photography package.

For more information about the Christmas Market, call 423-648-2496.

Also in Collegedale, the annual Christmas tree lighting at Southern Adventist University is set for Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 6: 30 p.m. in front of Wright Hall, 4881 Taylor Circle on the campus.

SAU President David Smith will welcome guests, followed by refreshments and performances by Southern’s Jazz Ensemble, Collegedale Academy Band, Southern Ringtones and more.

In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Thursday, Nov. 30.

For more information: 423-236-2814.

Warm up with Santa and Mrs. Claus during “Cocoa with Santa” on Monday, Nov. 27, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library, 305 S. Duke St. in LaFayette, Ga.

Visitors can make a selfie with Santa or sip cocoa with treats before participating in a craft activity. Pictures with Santa are made by appoint- ment, so call 706-638-2992.

The Grinch can’t steal Christmas from citizens of Ellijay, Ga.

The town in the mountains of North Georgia will transform into Whoville on Friday night, Nov. 24. Adults and children are invited to dress like a Who in colorful clothes and crazy hairdos and gather in downtown Ellijay for a tree lighting on the square at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Parade of Whos at 6 o’clock.

Downtown stores will hold open houses, store windows will be decorated, Santa will be on hand for photos and even the Grinch will drop in for this event sponsored by the Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Southern Adventist University’s Jazz Ensemble will play for the tree lighting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 6:30 p.m. on the Collegedale campus.