Lacey Beggs escorts Roxi Beggs, 2, to say hello to Santa during the HoHo Expo, a holiday-themed market sponsored by the Times Free Press, at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Saturday.IF YOU GO• What: HoHo Expo.• Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St.• When: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 22-23• Hours: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday• Admission: Free• Information: http://timesfreepressevents.com/hoho.Pictures with santa• 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 2-4 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 22• 1-3 p.m. & 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23Sponsored by orthodontist Dr. Keith Dressler.
Tick tock. Tick tock.
Hear that? The Countdown to Christmas clock is already ticking. And once Thanksgiving hits, it'll go into high gear because there are only four weeks -- exactly -- between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
But if you want to get an early jump on shopping to ease the stress a bit, check out the HoHo Expo.
Presented by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the expo runs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22-23, in the Chattanooga Convention Center. More than 150 local businesses will be there, giving you plenty of choices when it comes to holiday gifts such as clothes, food, toys, accessories and other unique items. Word is there'll also be snow.
Admission is free and there's free parking in the Convention Center parking garage.
Kids can get their pictures made with Santa or, special this year, with Anna and Elsa from "Frozen." There also will be a Kids Activity Zone with chances to make ornaments, color or listen to Mother Goose Story Time.
The expo also will feature live music plus free cookies, apple cider and candy canes. And you can buy Christmas trees and holiday decorations from The Barn Nursery Christmas Shop.
Giveaways will take place throughout the weekend, with the grand prize of Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas, which includes a two-night stay at the Opryland hotel in Nashville, plus tickets to several events:
• Ice!, a winter wonderland display that includes "'Twas the Night Before Christmas";
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes;
• Restless Heart: A Season of Harmony Dinner Show, a performance by the country group;
• Treasures for the Holidays, an arts and craft show;
• A ride on the Delta Riverboats.
For husbands who may be dragged along on this shopping expedition by your wives, it's OK. The expo has something to get you through the day.
In the Man Cave, you can have a beer and watch any of three college football games on Saturday: Georgia vs. Charleston Southern; Alabama vs. Western Carolina: or Florida vs. Eastern Kentucky.
On Sunday, you can watch the various NFL games on TV, and the Man Cave also will have Harley-Davidson motorcycles on display.
The expo is sponsored by The Barn Nursery Christmas Shop, Dr. Keith Dressler, Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson and Trust Federal Credit Union.