Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Community Christmas celebrations
Christmas parades, tree lightings, caroling and candlelight tours are on tap this weekend around Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Here’s a roundup of where to find them.
FRIDAY, DEC. 8
› Christmas in the Park: 6- 9 p. m., Dowdy Park , 170 Veteran’s Memorial Drive, Summerville, Ga. An evening of family Christmas fun with free hot chocolate, popcorn and cotton candy, hay rides, entertainment, tree lighting and a visit from Santa. Compete in the Best-Dressed Elf contest at 6 p.m. or bring a dozen Christmas cookies made from your favorite recipe to compete in the Christmas Cookie Smack Down. www.summervillega.org. › East Ridge Christmas Parade: 7- 9 p. m., Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge.
After the East Ridge Christmas Parade was canceled due to bad weather on Nov. 18, two business owners decided t hey would make it happen.
Robert Padgett and Brian Scott have teamed with the city of East Ridge to put on the parade Friday night. Parade lineup begins at 5 p. m. The parade wi l l start at 7 p. m. in Camp Jordan RV Park and wind east toward the amphitheater, where it will end with the East Ridge Christmas Celebration.
Enjoy a Christmas concert by Cody McCarver and friends in the amphitheater. On the Camp Jordan grounds will be a bonfire, inflatables, hot cocoa — all free of charge. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. For more information: 423-463-4391. SATURDAY, DEC. 9
› Christmas at
the Farm: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Willow Tree Farm, 607 Post Oak Road, Ringgold, Ga.
Boynton United Methodist Church hosts free family fun night with petting zoo, Christmas caroling, children’s activities, hot dogs, cookies and more. 706-866-2626.
› Christmas Bazaar: 9 a. m.- 3 p. m., LaFayette Parks and Recreation, 638 S. Main St., LaFayette, Ga.
Assortment of crafts offered at show held i nside LaFayette Recreation Center gymnasium. 706639-1590. › Christmas in the
Streets and Parade: 10 a. m.- 8 p. m., downtown Chickamauga, Ga.
Each year a theme is chosen for Chickamauga’s Christmas parade and this year’s is “Christmas Music Melodies.”
But before the parade steps off, craft and food vendors will set up shop on Gordon, Thomas and 10th streets beginning at 10 a.m. Live music will kick off at 11 a.m. with Amber Fults, Cross Connection Kids Choir, Beats Workin, Austin Zackery Band and Eric & Eric performing throughout the afternoon. Children can have their pictures made with Santa at Sound Accounting.
The parade steps off at 6: 30 p. m. and will travel down Crittenden Avenue to Gordon Street, turn left onto Cove Road, ending at Gordon- Lee High School. Gordon Lee Mansion
is holding candlelight tours Friday and Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. The mansion will be lit by dozens of candles in each room. Live period music will play and hot cider with cookies will be served in the warming kitchen. 423710-0754.
Downtown Christmas on the Square: 11 a.m.6 p.m., 116 N. Main St., Decatur, Tenn.
Crafts and food vendors and live music on the downtown square before the Decatur parade begins at 4 p.m. Bring a lawn chair for seating. 423-334-5496. Hometown Christmas: 5-10 p. m., Graysville, Tenn. Second annual tree lighting and lighting of City Hall
with caroling around the Christmas tree, Christmas movie sponsored by Graysville Public Library, pictures made inside a Christmas snow globe and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 423-775-9242. Lookout Valley Christmas Parade: 10: 30 a.m. lineup at Lookout Valley Elementary School, noon1:30 p.m. parade on Brown’s Ferry Road and Cummings Highway to John A. Patten Recreation Center, where reception will be held.
Mistletoe Market: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Summerville, Ga., train depot, 119 E. Washington St.
Shop holiday crafts, gifts and decorations; admission to market is free. Market continues Sunday, Dec. 10, noon to 7:30 p.m.