By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
The Christmas season is upon us and it brings an abundance of fun and excitement for people of all ages. Even in our rural mountain communities, there is so much to see and do and a lot of it is free.
To help you plan a little fun for your friends and family, or just for you, we have a roundup of some of the Christmas activities we have found, from parades to concerts.
First up, the Hayesville Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Clay County Progress for almost 40 years. With the theme, “Come Down to Jingle Town in Hayesville,” the popular nighttime parade will light up downtown at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Colorful floats, horses and vintage cars adorned in holiday lights and costumed characters are just some of the fun. Santa Claus is the star of the show and will pose for pictures in the gazebo on the square after the parade. The Christmas parades in Hiawassee, Murphy and Blairsville have already been held.
Another free event which has become an annual tradition in recent years is Clay County’s "Luminaries on the Lake." The drive-thru event happens at the Clay County Recreation Park Campground nightly from 6-9 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 15, weather permitting. An array of luminaries lights the areas around the campground at 47 Clay Rec. Park Road.
At the same time, don’t miss the Jingle Jam, a Christmas celebration for the whole family. Jingle Jam is a fun, high-energy program designed for families with kindergartners through fifth grade to attend with their parents, siblings, grandparents or anyone. The show is free, but tickets may be reserved at: www.vcjinglejam.com for show times at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Peacock Performing Arts Center.
For those who enjoy bell choirs, The Brasstown Ringers has two concerts remaining. Their presentation of “Caroling Bells!” will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Oak Forest Church, 990 Oak Forest Road in Hayesville. At 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 they will perform at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church in Young Harris, Ga. along with the church’s chancel choir. Call (828) 371-8794 for details about the concerts.
The annual drive thru Nativity at Oak Forest Church will also be held from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Enter Oak Forest Road from Highway 64 near the bridge just east of the intersection of Myers Chapel and Highway 64. Follow the luminaries to the church where live characters depict various scenes from the Nativity. Part of Hinton Center Road will be temporarily closed.
The 2024 Mountain Country Christmas in Lights at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds is free to kids 12 and under. For other ages, admission is $9, which gains admission to the grounds and includes all activities, light displays, photo opportunities, the food vendor area, arts and crafts and more. Open every night from 6-9 p.m. Thursday through Monday, Dec. 12-23. Tickets are available at the gate by cash or credit card. The Macedonia Baptist Church Christmas Cantata is included with admission on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The John C. Campbell Folk School will host a kids’ Christmas party from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21. Come to the Keith House and see Santa arrive on a fire truck. Plus, there will be games, crafts, music, dancing, storytelling and refreshments. It's a family-friendly event for all ages — from grandparents to the little ones. The folk school is at 1 Folk School Road in Brasstown, N.C. 28902.
Whether you choose to check out all of the events or only a couple, enjoy.