Comment
Print
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Forest City
Thousands will gather in downtown Forest City November 27, Thanksgiving evening, when more than one million Christmas lights will be switched on at approximately 7pm. The ceremony begins at 6:30pm with special music by In His Glory quartet.
Many of the downtown merchants will be open for early Christmas shopping.
Main Street will be closed but there will be plenty of parking between Trade Street and Main Street, around the Florence Mill property and in the green space across from First Baptist Church.
Forest City Mayor Steve Holland and his guest Layla Richardson, a first grader at Forest City Dunbar Elementary School, will switch on the lights. Her parents are Matt and Misty Richardson of Forest City. Main Street will reopen after 9pm.
The Town of Ruth will switch their Christmas lights on Thanksgiving evening, although there will not be a special ceremony. The display of light and ornaments is at the Thermal Belt Rail Trail off Railroad Avenue, Ruth.
In Bostic, the Christmas lights and decorations located at the town Depot and the Bostic Lincoln Center are already shining and the public can come by the enjoy the beautiful scene and make photos.
Parades, concerts
The annual Forest City Christmas Parade will be held November 30 at 3pm with the grand marshal leading the parade through Main Street.
The parade begins at Cool Springs Administrative Building and travels east on Main Street to First United Methodist Church. There will be no parking on eastbound Main Street during the parade.
In addition to the grand marshal, the parade will include dozens of units including bands, dance groups, scout groups, floats, and church groups. The parade also kicks off the holiday events in Forest City including carriage rides, hayrides, ice skating, visits with Santa, Santa Paws and Be the Light 5K.
The Town of Lake Lure and Lake Lure Classical Academy is hosting a Holiday Concert and Tree Lighting Celebration at the Gazebo in Morse Park December 3 beginning at 5:30pm. Parking will be available in the Town Center in Morse Park. Light refreshments, including S'mores and hot chocolate will be served following the ceremony. The communities of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village invite everyone to visit the towns, enjoy the Christmas decorations, the lights, shopping and dining.
The annual Spindale-Rutherfordton Christmas Parade will be held December 6 beginning at 4pm and continuing into Rutherfordton without restaging between the two towns due to the ongoing road construction.
The Town of Spindale has selected Bill and Lesley Koonce as the grand marshals to lead the Spindale parade downtown.
The Rutherfordton parade is expected to begin at approximately 5pm. There's still time to join the parade. Call Jordan- jjones@rutherfordton.net or 828-447-8255 or Will- w.stroupe@spindalenc.net or 828-286-3466.
The parade festivities will conclude with the Rutherfordton Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Rutherford County Courthouse Lawn. The event will feature music, holiday lights, and community activities on Main Street. Everyone is invited to attend.
The annual Ellenboro Christmas parade will be held December 7 beginning at 3pm. Ellenboro native Edward McCurry has been tapped as grand marshal to lead the parade units through town.
Other Christmas events
On December 5, the Symphony of Rutherford County will present a Christmas celebration of peace and joy beginning at 7:30pm at The Foundation Performing Art Center, 286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale.
The concert will feature I Heard The Bell on Christmas Day, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Hanukkah Festival and Trans-Siberian Orchestra pieces. Special guests Rutherfordton Elementary School Choir and Senior Master Sgt. Robert Harrelson. For tickets call the box office at 828-286-9990 or visit FoundationShows.org.
On December 12 there will be a holiday shopping event on Main Street, Spindale from 4 to 8pm featuring shopping with local vendors including pottery, jewelry, candles, holistic items and much more.
Christmas at the Depot in Ellenboro will be held December 13 from 3 to 6pm hosted by the Ellenboro Community Restoration Association. The event is free and everyone is invited to attend at 124 Depot Street, Ellenboro. The public is invited to take photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus in the sleigh, tour the Depot and enjoy free coffee, chocolate milk and cookies.
An Old-Fashioned Cliffside Christmas event will be held December 18 from 4:30 until 8pm on Main Street featuring music and lights.
Residents and guests are encouraged to visit downtown Rutherfordton on December 11 for a magical night of holiday shopping as stores will have extended hours from 5 to 8:30pm.
Christmas caroling will be at the Main Street Park stage and a strolling handbell choir will fill the streets with festive cheer.
"A Christmas Carol" will be presented December 12 at 7pm and Saturday, December 13 at 3pm at The Foundation Performing Arts Center at Isothermal Community College by Rutherford Stage -- adapted for the stage by Diane McEnnerney. Co-Directed by Laura Link and Michael McKinney, the cast will feature over 120 local actors of all ages, and will be narrated by Zaida Cilone, Sarah Searcy, Jonathon Sanford, and Anya White. For tickets call the Foundation Box Office at 828-286-9990 or visit foundationshows.org.
Isothermal Community College's Cookies with Santa & Community Holiday Celebration will be held December 1 from 6 to 8pm at the Foundation Performing Arts Center.
There will be a tree lighting, pictures with Santa, hot cocoa & cookies, letters to Santa, games & crafts Holiday Book Exchange. Bring a holiday-themed kids's book to exchange. Every kid will take home a new book thanks to faculty, staff and volunteers. The event includes a tablescape contest, walk through holiday-themed tablescapes decorated by ICC departments on the PAC balcony and vote for your favorite. Luminaries & Tree Lighting Fundraiser: Purchase a luminary for $10 to honor/remember a loved one. Add a personal message or image for an additional $5. (Orders can be placed through the Box Office at 828-286-9990 or online at www.etix.com/ticket/ds/1791/luminaries-with-love.jsp). Everyone is invited to attend.
