Elsewhere in the region …
At least three other towns are planning parades this weekend.› Benton, Tenn.: The Polk County Christmas Parade is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. The theme is “A Hometown Holiday.” 423-338-5040.› Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.: The parade starts at 6 p.m., followed by a Christmas at the Post family festival with a tree lighting, Christmas choirs and pictures with Santa. Those attending are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Catoosa County Stocking Full of Love. 706-858-4639.› Spring City, Tenn.: There’ll be festivities all day, beginning with a Christmas Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the depot lawn. The parade will start at 6 p.m. along Front Street. Activities include vendors, hot chocolate, caroling and lighting of the depot.
When 5,000 folks turned out last December for Chickamauga, Ga.'s inaugural Christmas in the Streets, organizers knew it was a hit.
So members of the Chickamauga Community Growth Association are throwing their second street festival on Saturday, Dec. 10, in downtown Chickamauga.
The fun starts with a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Lodge on Gordon Street from 8 a.m. to noon. The street festival's craft and food vendors open at 10 a.m. The block party also includes a gingerbread house contest, musical acts starting at 11 a.m., and kids' activities all leading up to the parade finale that evening.
"We have 60 street vendors signed up. We will have Elsa, elves, the Grinch and Santa at the street festival for pictures. A professional photographer will be with Santa, and there is no charge to people at the festival for those photos with Santa. It is a gift to the community," says Fanci Moore, a member of the sponsoring CCGA and director of tourism for the city of Chickamauga, Ga.
Anyone may enter the gingerbread contest, she says, and finished houses are due at The Basket Case, 108 Gordon St., for judging at 11 a.m. Entries will be divided by ages: 4-7, 8-11, 12-17 and 18 and older. Winners will be announced during the festival.
The street festival will continue throughout the day until the parade is ready to step off at 6:30 p.m. from the corner of Crittenden and 10th streets. It will march down Gordon, swing left onto Cove Road and end at Gordon Lee High School.
"Christmas Movie Memories" is the theme of this year's parade, chosen by festivalgoers at the 2015 Christmas in the Streets. Visitors to Saturday's block party will be able to vote on the 2017 parade theme, says Moore.
This year's parade has more than two dozen floats entered with themes ranging from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to "Christmas Vacation" and "The Polar Express." Non-float participants will include representatives of Little Miss LaFayette, Chickamauga Library, Alhambra Shrine and walkers throwing candy to spectators along the route. Moore says a panel of judges will choose float winners, but spectators can vote on a People's Choice winner.
To coincide with the street festival, Gordon Lee Mansion will be open for candlelight tours of the antebellum house on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $1 for children, and proceeds will fund preservation of the landmark.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.