Christmas events have kicked off in Dade County.
The county’s historic Courthouse opened for the first time in 10 years this past April, county spokesperson Carey Fauscett-Anderson said by phone, and it has been decorated with close to 20 Christmas trees, festive lights and decorations.
It will be open to the public 5-8 p.m. every Saturday evening through December, in addition to its regular weekday hours of 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors are welcome to take holiday photos at the Courthouse, Fauscett-Anderson said.
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The building houses Dade County’s Chamber of Commerce, the Cornerstone gift shop and gallery with items from local craftsmen and artisans, a welcome center, a local historic society and a rentable event space that used to be the courtroom.
“So many people wanted to tear that Courthouse down,” Sarah Moore said by phone, “and I was a strong advocate for keeping this historical building, and it has turned into a beautiful thing.”
Moore is part of the Historic Preservation Committee that worked to renovate the Courthouse.
“I was a court clerk there for 20 years and saw the deterioration of it, but to see it restored was one of the highlights of my life,” Moore said.
Close to 1,000 people attended the recent Jolly Holiday Christmas Market at Dade County High School with more than 40 vendors working the event, Fauscett-Anderson said.
Events will continue in Dade County every remaining Saturday of the month.
Christmas Crossing on the Square will be 3-5 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Park in Trenton. Kids are invited to participate in arts and crafts, eat popcorn and sip hot chocolate, Fauscett-Anderson said.
The event will be followed by the Winter Wonderland Christmas Lighted Parade at 6 p.m. The parade will run from the Bank of Dade to Moore Funeral Home, passing the town square and the historic Courthouse on the way.
The final event will be Dec. 20 in the town square. Trenton Methodist Church will host a live Nativity scene starting at 6 p.m.
“Nearly everything happens on our town square. It truly is the heart of our community,” Fauscett-Anderson said.
Contact northwest Georgia reporter Ignacio Perez at iperez@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6710.
