From a tree lighting to parade, ‘tis the season in Calhoun County!
The Christmas season is kicking off in Calhoun County this weekend with a variety of activities the whole family is sure to enjoy. Here is a lineup of all weekend events.
- DOWNTOWN TREE LIGHTING is set for 5:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Magnolia Square. The Community Choir will perform Christmas carols to be heard from miles around as the City of Blountstown lights the traditional tree on the square. City Hall – 850/674-5488.
- MOONLIGHT MARKET will be held Friday, Nov. 30 in Downtown Blountstown, along North Pear Street, from 5 to 8 p.m. Artists, crafters, food, and merchant vendors are invited to enter a FREE booth at the market. Come enjoy holiday shopping, delicious food, and live entertainment. Santa Claus will also be on hand at the M&B Train Depot Museum, offering a chance for kids to share their Christmas wishes. Photos will be available for a fee. To reserve space for the market, contact Kelli at 850/447-2765.
- JINGLE BELL RUN - Bells ringing, people laughing, and lots of fun are in store for the 4th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk on Friday, Nov. 30. Registration opens at 5 p.m. and the run starts at 6 p.m. at the Blountstown Middle School. All are invited to spread Christmas CHEER along the jingle bell route – signs, jingle bells, and Christmas music all welcome!
For a map of route visit http://www. blountstown middle.org or contact Marie Castaneda, 643-7453.
- BREAKFAST WITH SANTA – Start your Saturday morning with a visit to the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement for Breakfast with Santa from 7 to 10 a.m. A very special breakfast will be served in the Clubhouse with $5 plates for adults, and $3 for kids. Bring your camera and your wish list!
- CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE FESTIVAL - Held at Magnolia Square, the local Eastern Star will host the annual Christmas on the Square Arts & Crafts Fair Saturday from 9 a.m. until after the Christmas parade on Saturday. The event will feature food, entertainment, arts, crafts, and items perfect for your holiday gift giving. Contact Lana Weeks at 674-4638, Eileen Bramblett – 643-2610, Margie Mason at 674-8610, or Amy Godwin at 762-2299 for more information.
- CHRISTMAS PARADES - Altha parade at 1 p.m. and the second in Blountstown at 5 p.m. The theme this year is “Santa’s Workshop”. Line up for the Altha parade will be behind Altha Public School. Entries MUST be in place absolutely no later than 12:30 p.m. Line up for the Blountstown parade will be along Evans Avenue, behind Blountstown Middle School (formerly BHS).
If you would like for your parade entry to be judged, line up at 3:30 P.M. behind the BHS Field House in the stadium parking area. Judging will begin at 4:00 P.M. and the winners will be named at 4:30 P.M.
LINEUP WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR!
Non-judged entries should line up at 4 p.m. in the BMS Gym parking area, and along Evans Avenue (adjacent to Discount Auto Parts). Detailed lineup information will be sent to all who submit entry forms with an email address. Attendants will also be onsite to direct participants to correct locations. 850/674-4519, kristy@calhounco.org or http://www.calhounco.org.
- CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE PANHANDLE PIONEER SETTLEMENT is set to follow the Blountstown parade and last until 8:30 p.m. Take a “Sight, Sound & Smells” walk back in time and experience a Christmas from long ago. The event will feature hay rides, puppet shows, story telling, marshmallow roast, and a cappella Christmas carols. There will be hot chocolate, coffee, stew, hamburgers, hotdogs and other warm food items available for donation.
Christmas treats will be served in the Yon House and the Wells Cabin. Stroll through the decorated buildings and enjoy a Florida Panhandle Christmas as your ancestors once did. ADMISSION: General Public - $3 each, Members - $2, Ages 6 to 12 - $2, and Kids under 5 – FREE. For more information call 850/674-2777 or visit http://www.panhandlepioneer.org.
