It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
The Christmas Season has begun, and the air is filled with cheer! As we enter December this week, several events and traditions celebrating the holidays will keep families busy and festive throughout this magical time.
Toombs County
Toombs County first began their kickoff to the season on Tuesday, November 28, as the City of Vidalia held their annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Ronnie A. Dixon City Park. Yet, that event was merely the start to a series of festivities designed to ensure all remain holly and jolly throughout the month.
Parades
e Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade will illuminate the streets at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 1. The parade continued from page
will begin traveling down Victory Drive towards Georgia Highway 280, before turning right and continuing down the highway until turning left onto S Lanier Street. From there, the floats will turn left down SW Broad Street, then right down N Washington Street, before turning right onto NW Broad Street and following that path until crossing S Lanier Street for the second time. The area between S Gwinnett Street and S Jefferson Street is a designated Quiet Zone, meaning that sirens and loud music will not be played in these areas to allow those with sensory and hearing issues to enjoy the parade.
e annual Vida lia Christmas Parade will hit the road at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, as it follows its normal path down Georgia Highway 280 throughout the downtown area of the city. This year´s theme is Gingerbread Houses and is sure to entertain audiences of all ages!
e Cedar Cross ing Christmas Parade will light up the neighborhood surrounding Cedar Crossing Road, near Cedar Crossing Baptist Church, at 6-30 p.m. on Monday, December 4. All are invited to line the road and celebrate the spirit of Christmas cheer through this exciting event!
Events
e Ebenezer Ex perience Family Holiday Theatrical Event will be performed at the Toombs County High School Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 30. This classic Christmas tale will be performed for one night only, so seats must be claimed through complimentary tickets available at Lyons Main Street, Lyons City Hall, WYLU, Toombs County Board of Education, Altamaha Bank of Vidalia, Peoples Bank of Lyons, and All Care Pharmacy.
e annual Winter WonderLyons event will be held from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, and invites families to come enjoy holiday activities and visit with Santa in the Downtown Lyons area.
e Mistletoe on Main market, hosted by Toombs County Schools Special Education Department, will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, at the Toombs County Ag Center. This market features items made by students, including those made by Special Needs Children.
Brown Realty Com pany and Brown Insurance Group will host a free Merry Meet and Greet with The Grinch from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, at their location on 202 Jackson Street. This event will feature a movie under the stars, so all attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the film. Attendees are also asked to bring a new stuffed animal to donate to Hugaroo, which provides the toys to sick kids in local Children´s Hospitals.
e Altama Museum will host an Ugly Sweater Open House from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 10. This event will feature musical performances by Renae Salter and Family, The Oaks Ukulele Band, and more.
Prizes will be given for the ugliest, most creative, most festive, and best couple.
´Tis e Season To Celebrate Our Differences will be hosted by the Vidalia High School FCCLA Club at The Pal Theatre on Monday, December 18. This event will cost $5 per person, which will go to benefit the Toombs County Special Olympics team. Games will begin at 5:30 p.m., while a showing of The Grinch will follow at 6 p.m.
Christmas Lights
e City of Santa Claus prides itself on its Christmas spirit! Thus, peruse the neighborhoods and enjoy the various lights and Christmas displays of this festive area.
e Nadekow Christmas Display welcomes all to walk through the Christmas display and enjoy movies on the lawn from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. daily at their home on 410 Durden Street in Vidalia.
Tram Road Origi nals offers a drive-thru to enjoy their Christmas lights display nightly, which is located on 3972 Old Normantown Road.
These lights stretch across 5 acres, and feature Christmas music and several unique displays designed to appeal to everyone´s taste!
Montgomery County Parade
e Annual Mount Vernon Christmas Parade will be held 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, and will run its usual route from S Washington Street, to W Spring Street, to S Railroad Avenue, and ultimately ending at the Courthouse square.
Events
e annual Christ mas in Dixie event in Higgston, which is located in the area along Georgia Highway 280 in front of Wholesale Customs, will celebrate the season from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 9. This event will feature live music, a car show, kids rides, vendors, and more.
Christmas on the Square will feature local talent and celebrate both Christmas and the community on the Montgomery County Courthouse Square following the conclusion of the Mount Vernon Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9.
Wheeler County
Wheeler County will get into the holiday mood this weekend as Glenwood and Alamo stage festive events on Saturday, December 2.
Parade
Glenwood's Mayor G.M. Joiner will lead the annual Glenwood Christmas parade through downtown at 11 a.m.
Participants will include churches, businesses, and civic organizations with colorful floats, saddle clubs, fire trucks, marching bands, and, of course,
Santa.
Events
e fun kicks o in nearby Alamo as the annual “Christmas in the City” is held downtown from 1 until 8 p.m. Some 60 vendors will be selling their wares — everything from food to arts and crafts. A lighted parade will start making its way through downtown Alamo at 6 p.m., and a Christmas-themed movie will be shown at 7 p.m. in the parking area outside of City Hall.
During the event, kids can enjoy rides on the pint-sized “Christmas Express” train in the park downtown. They can also work off some energy at bouncy houses, make friends with friendly creatures at a petting zoo, and climb into the saddle for a pony ride. Members of the Lions Club will be on hand to work their magic with face painting.
Santa Claus and Mrs.
Claus are slated to arrive by fire truck and will be available for photos, and the Grinch will be on hand at Joy’s Photography at 141 West Railroad Avenue for picture taking with kids from 2 until 4 p.m.
A special feature of this year’s “Christmas in the City” will be a “Christmas Store,” at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Commerce Street where children will be welcomed inside from 1 until 6 p.m. to choose a gift. The event is being sponsored by “The Benny Show,” a You-Tube podcast based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Another first this season is snow — albeit from a snow-making machine which will be set up on Railroad Avenue. “We have vendors coming from as far away as Atlanta who will be selling everything from hot chocolate, to specialty coffees and sweets, to earrings, leather goods, pottery, welded yard art, Christmas decorations, and more,” said Dana Burkhalter, utility clerk for the City of Alamo. One vendor will be demonstrating cane grinding and cane juice will be sold, she added.
The event has been months in the making. This is the 15th year for the popular holiday happening.
