Park lighting this Saturday

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Christmas Park and Deck the Halls

By David Meade

Williamston’s Christmas Park will be opening Saturday, Nov. 23 for the holiday season. An opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. at the Amphitheater Stage in Mineral Spring Park with remarks and music, organizer Dianne Lollis said. Santa will also arrive on the town’s fire truck for his first night in the Scout Hut. Santa will be available for visits nightly through Dec. 24.

The park will feature several new lighted displays this year including the recently painted wall mural on the “Bethlehem” building. Dacusville artist Jendi Lindsay was commissioned for the mural which was funded by the Williamston Springwater Committee.

Special live entertainment and a live nativity scene sponsored by Calvary Baptist Church will also highlight activities in the park during the holidays. The live nativity will open November 30 and will be presented from 6 – 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night through December 22.

The Christmas Park has been a holiday attraction in the upstate since 1958. It is a joint effort by local churches, businesses, individuals and others to convey the Christmas spirit through a unique collection of holiday lights and displays.

Churches, businesses and organizations in the area are invited to place a lighted display. There is no cost but an application must be filled out to reserve a space, Lollis said. Participants are asked to have their displays finished and ready for the park opening by Saturday. Applications are available by contacting Dianne Lollis at 847-5743.

Deck the Halls has become a holiday tradition for the town, featuring beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the main hallways of the Municipal Center. It will be open to the public for viewing following the lighting of the park and during regular business hours through the holidays. Hours for viewing trees will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The Palmetto Holiday Market and Christmas Tree Tour will be held on Saturday (Nov. 23) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Municipal Center in Williamston. A variety of vendors will offer local produce and products. There will be free coffee, cookies and mini-muffins and free gift bags for holiday purchases while they last.