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Family and friends are gathering this week to celebrate Thanksgiving 2023 in various places across Rutherford County.
For those who might not have family in the area and will not have a Thanksgiving dinner, there are free Thanksgiving meals for anyone who needs a meal.
The St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton is hosting its annual Community Thanksgiving Meal from 11:30am-1pm Wednesday (today) at the Parish Hall on North Main Street. Meals will be delivered for those who will not have a Thanksgiving meal.
The church anticipates 1,100 meals will be given through delivery and in-person dining, said the Rev. Toni Belhu, rector of St. Francis.
Contact Donna Murray at 828-231-6896 to make donations or to assist with the meal.
The Grace of God Rescue Mission on West Main Street in Forest City will serve its traditional Thanksgiving meal for needy people at the mission on Thanksgiving Day beginning at 11am.
Director Terry Hagaman says there will be at least 650 meals served that day and there will be take out meals.
The Christmas Eve meal will be Dec. 24 also at the center.
Fruit baskets, gloves and scarves will be distributed with the meals.
There is a need for monetary donations to help with the meals not only on the holidays but throughout the year.
For information, call 828-245-9141 or send donation checks to: The Grace of God Rescue Mission, PO Box 212, Forest City, 28043.
The Christmas light switches are set to go
After the Thanksgiving meal and holiday weekend, lights will begin to shine across Rutherford County to celebrate the Christmas season.
On Thursday, Nov. 23 at 6:30pm the Town of Forest City will host its annual lighting ceremony. Historic Main Street will be closed from Broadway Street to Church Street beginning at 9am to prepare for the ceremony. Mayor Steve Holland and his special guest, Sgt. Jamie Hill will flip the magic switch that turns on the lights at 7pm. There will be special music for the evening.
There will be no parking on Main Street due to the lighting ceremony. Parking will be available in the municipal lots between Main Street and Trade Street and in the grassy area across from First Baptist Church.
Main Street will reopen at 9pm as many businesses will be open Thanksgiving night.
Luminary Ceremony at ICC
The Lights come on at the Foundation Performing Arts Center, Isothermal Community College on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 5:30am-7pm for the Tree Lighting and Luminaries of Love program. Children of all ages are encouraged to arrive by 5:45pm at the Foundation for cookies and warm beverages while listening to a holiday story. There will be Holidays Around the World activities, including letters to Santa.
The annual tree and luminary lighting ceremony will begin at 6pm with the arrival of Santa.
The front of the Foundation will be illuminated with over 500 luminaries, 16 ft. Christmas tree and other lighting surprises outside the front of the building.
Luminaries can be bought and placed in remembrance or in honor of loved ones. To purchase a luminary visit: www.foundationshows.org/purchase.html. Order and payment are due Nov. 22 (today) to be included in the lighting ceremony.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
Just west of Rutherfordton, lights in the Hickory Nut Gorge will begin to shine at the Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure. The Town of Lake Lure and the Friends of the Flowering Bridge, in partnership with Lake Lure Classical Academy, invite the public to ring in the holidays with the Lighting of Lake Lure and the Flowering Bridge.
Parking is available at Morse Park, 2948 Memorial Highway, east side of the Flowering Bridge.
Refreshments will be served following the event.
The county's other municipalities- Bostic, Spindale, Ellenboro, Rutherfordton, and Ruth- will also be turning on their lights after Thanksgiving and parades.
Across the county line in Polk County, Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland Drive-Through Light Show is ongoing through Jan. 1.
Christmas markets Thanksgiving weekend
The Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is hosting a Christmas Market Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 24-Nov. 26.
There will be free live performances from bluegrass icons Darin & Brooke Aldridge in the Legends Plaza at TIEC at 1pm and 3pm on Saturday.
The Christmas Market will feature more than 20 unique vendors, also located in the Legends Plaza at TIEC. Diverse crafts will be offered from local and artisan vendors.
On Friday night, the fan-favorite Firefly Drone Show begins at 7pm. The show is free with a $10 parking fee, of which some goes to local charities.
Winter Festival
The annual Holiday Market and Winter Festival will be held at the Pavilion on Park Square (POPS) in Forest City Saturday, Dec. 2 beginning at 9am-4pm.
There will be games, food, fun and prizes in addition to the farmers market and more than 30 other vendors selling produce and a variety of other crafts and homemade items.
Other events will be the appearance of Santa, the DreamMaking Magician, Face Painting, Fairy Hair and plenty of children's games.
The Zuber Petting Zoo will be open from 10am-12:30pm; Mr. Twist Balloon Creations, 10am-2pm. Ice Skating will be available for $9 unlimited skating; opens at 12 noon.
Christmas Parades kick off Sunday
Christmas Parades are on the calendar this holiday weekend with the Forest City Christmas parade Sunday, Nov. 26; Dec. 2 in Spindale and Rutherfordton and Dec. 3 in Ellenboro.
The Forest City Christmas parade will kick off at 3pm Sunday, Nov. 26. off McNair Drive and the more than 100 parade units will parade down Main Street.
Leading the Forest City parade as Grand Marshal is Pat Nanney, one of Forest City's strongest champions of support.
The Spindale-Rutherfordton Christmas parade kicks off at 3:30pm Dec. 2 and after passing along Main Street will reconvene at 5pm through Main Street in Rutherfordton.
The Town of Rutherfordton invites all parade participants and viewers to attend the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Rutherford County Courthouse Lawn at approximately 7pm.
Music will be on the courthouse lawn as people stroll along Main Street.
The Town of Ellenboro is hosting its annual Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 3. Lineup is on Hollis Road as the parade units march through Ellenboro. Dr. Bobby England will be the Grand Marshal.
