Communities around the region are kicking off the month of December with holiday celebrations to delight the young and young at heart. Following is a roundup of what’s happening in your neighborhood.
Friday, Nov. 30
» Carols in the City and Tree Lighting: Downtown Cleveland, Tennessee, 6 p.m. Choir performances at the downtown churches as visitors carol from church to church, sponsored by Mainstreet Cleveland. www.mainstreetcleveland.com
» LaFayette, Georgia, Christmas Parade: From Ace Hardware, 512 S. Main St., north on Main through the square, left onto Margaret Street to old LaFayette High School, 6 p.m. After the parade, families can make free photos with Santa in the gazebo at Joe Stock Memorial Park. 706-639-1550
Saturday, Dec. 1
» Breakfast with Santa and Craft Fair: Poplar Springs gym, 470 Rollins Industrial Court, Ringgold, Georgia, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5 with pancake breakfast, free without breakfast, sponsored by Catoosa County Parks and Recreation. Selfies with Santa, crafters, letters to Santa, games, hot chocolate and coffee. Breakfast tickets must be purchased in advance at CCPR office, 749 Pine Grove Road, Ringgold, or by calling 706-891-4199.
» Bridgeport Christmas Parade: Downtown Bridgeport, Alabama, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST. Joe Stovall is grand marshal. 256-495-4020.
» Christmas Candlelight Walk: Downown Tellico Plains, Tennessee, 4-9 p.m. Stroll streets illuminated by candlelight, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, hear music at the gazebo in the town square before the tree lighting. 423-519-2267
» Christmas in the Park: Poe’s Tavern, 9817 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, 3:30-7 p.m. Visit Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, singing by East Daisy Church of God members, Karen Duckett and Girls, Green Pond Baptist Church members, Mary Poe, Chad Shipley and Soddy Elementary School students. Free drinks and cookies.
» Cleveland Christmas Parade: Downtown Cleveland, Tennessee, 6 p.m., sponsored by Mainstreet Cleveland. Parade steps off from Bradley County High School, 1000 S. Lee Highway, and travels a 3-mile route through downtown. www.mainstreetcleveland.com
» East Brainerd Community Tree Lighting: Heritage House, 1428 Jenkins Road, 3-6 p.m. Community choirs sing, free photos with Santa, free cookies and hot cocoa while supplies last, lighting of tree at 6 p.m. Parking available at East Brainerd Church of Christ, 7745 East Brainerd Road, with shuttle to Heritage Park.
» Signal Mountain Town Tree Lighting Festival: Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain, 4-6 p.m. Music by school groups, pictures with Santa, crafts, artists market, sing-along and tree lighting. 423-886-1959
Sunday, Dec. 2
» Soddy-Daisy Christmas Parade: Daisy United Methodist Church, 9508 Dayton Pike, to Food City, 2 p.m. 423-332-3243
» Spirit of Christmas Parade: Little Debbie Parkway in Ooltewah to Apison Pike in Collegedale, 3-5 p.m. 423-238-7777, ext. 20
Monday, Dec. 3
» A Small Town Christmas Parade: Begins at Chattooga High School, 989 Highway 114, Summerville, Ga., 7 p.m. Summerville Main Street will present live music in front of the Chattooga County Courthouse beginning at 4:30 p.m.; downtown businesses host Christmas Open House with specials and discounts. www.facebook.com/events/ 118006829098344
– Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce