Elizabethton will be bustling with activity on Saturday, and many of the events will help to put residents and visitors alike in a holiday spirit.
The highlight of the evening will be the annual Christmas Parade in downtown, but there are many other events taking place both before and after the parade to create a day full of family fun.
The parade will begin at 6 p.m. and travel through downtown, beginning at Big John’s Closeouts and ending at the Veteran’s Monument in front of the Carter County Courthouse. The Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the parade, and this year’s theme is The 12 Days of Christmas.
“We’ve gotten more entries,” said Elizabeth White with the Chamber. “It’s going to be bigger than last year.”
While the weather forecast calls for cool temperatures and a slight chance of rain, White said rain or shine, the parade will go on.
The following is a list of other events taking place in Elizabethton on Saturday:
• A special Christmas Open House at Corner Nest Antiques Mall, located at 100 W. Elk Avenue on the corner of Elk Avenue and Roan Street. The Christmas Open House begins at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and Lunch will be available from Flatbread Warehouse located inside the Corner Nest Antiques Mall.
• Christmas Vendor Show at Oak Street Baptist Church, located at 804 Oak Street at the corner of Oak Street and Stateline Road. The Christmas Vendor Show kicks off at 9 a.m. Come support local businesses and finish up (or begin) your Christmas shopping.
• Check out the Christmas Wreath exhibit at Sycamore Shoals State Park. The exihibit is inside the Park Visitor’s Center and is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The theme for this year’s exhibit is “Christmas Carols” which sparked a lot of creativity with the crafters of the wreaths.
• Grab a treat and hand-deliver your letter in person to Santa Claus at Sweetsie Treats, located at 438 E. Elk Ave. in downtown. Santa will make an appearance in the event center at Sweetsie Treats from Noon until 2 p.m. Mention you saw the event in the Elizabethton Star to receive a 10 percent discount on treats. Sweetsie Treats will also be providing hot chocolate during the parade.
• The Carter County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a craft and bake sale on Saturday to raise funds to help out local families in need this holiday season. The event begins at 3 p.m. and will be held in the parking lot of First Baptist Church, located on the corner of Lynn Avenue and East G Street. Among those providing items for the bake sale will be Sugar Love Bakery and Cafe.
• The Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition will be offering hot chocolate to parade goers from their office, located at 546 E. Elk Ave. (on the corner of Elk Avenue and Sycamore Street) beginning at 4 p.m.
• Members of the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club are holding a benefit chili dinner downtown with funds raising going to support local organizations that help children in the community. The dinner will be held in the Fellowship Hall of First Christian Church, located at 513 Hattie Avenue, from 4 to 7 p.m. The dinner will offer chili with all the fixin’s and the cost is $5. To go meals will be available for those who want to grab their food and head over to the parade route.
• Take a step back in time with Christmas at the Carter Mansion. The annual holiday event at one of the county’s most historic homes will be held on Saturday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Candlelight tours will be held every 20 minutes with the last tour starting at 8:40 p.m. Cost for the tour is $5 for age 13 and up while ages 12 and under are free. Reservations are recommended. Tickets and reservations are available at the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park visitor’s center in person or by telephone at 423-543-5808. Ticket purchases are also available online by visiting www.tnstateparks.com/parks/events/sycamore-shoals/ and choosing “Upcoming Events” from the menu located on the left side of the screen.