The opening of the Christmas Park and other special activities in Williamston will kick off the holidays and over the next few weeks the calendar will be filled with local events to get you into the Holiday Spirit!
The lighting of the Christmas Park, opening of Deck the Halls in Williamston’s Municipal Center and lighting of the Town Christmas Tree will be part of the Williamston Wonderland activities on Sunday, Nov. 30
The Opening Night Ceremony in front of Town Hall will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The Christmas Park has been a holiday attraction in the upstate since 1958. It is a joint effort by local citizens, the Spring Water Festival Committee and the town to convey the Christmas spirit through a unique collection of holiday lights and displays.
This year Santa will be in the Santa Hut in Mineral Spring Park on the following dates: November 29 and 30, December 18th to 23rd. Hours are from 6 pm to 9 pm. If for any reason Santa cannot be present, a notice will be posted at the Santa Hut.
Santa Claus will be arriving on the town’s antique 1936 Fire Engine for the Williamston Christmas Parade which begins at 5 p.m. Sunday and will be visiting with children in the Scout Hut later that evening.
There will be a major change to the parade route which will be shortened and begin on East Main Street at Mill Street and end at the traffic light at West Main and Academy Street.
Deck the Halls has become a holiday tradition for the town and features beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the main hallways of the Municipal Center. Trees can be viewed during regular Town Hall hours and the Municipal Center will be open evenings.
The Piedmont Holly Jolly Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 6, at 11 am. The parade is sponsored by The Bonnes Amies Club.
Two award winning bands, the Woodmont High School Marching Band and the Wren High School Marching Band and ROTC, the Hejaz Drifters, and Santa are scheduled for the Piedmont Parade.
The West Pelzer – Pelzer Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 6 at 5:30 pm. There is no entry fee for the parade.
Parade Route on Hwy. 8/Main Street will begin at West Pelzer Fire Department and end at the Pelzer Gym. Judges will be at Chapman Park.
The Palmetto Business Association and Ballard Heights will co-sponsor a special holiday event on Friday, December 12th from 5 to 8 PM.
It’s A Wonderful Life will be held at Ballard Heights, located at 144 Ballard Road, Pelzer.
This magical evening will be filled with festive fun for the whole family. “Join us for a magical evening filled with pictures with Santa and a joyful, family-friendly holiday atmosphere” organizers said.
The Greenville & Western Railway “Santa Express” Coming Dec. 13
Boys and girls in attendance at each stop will have an opportunity to step on board Santa’s caboose and tell Old Saint Nick exactly what they want for Christmas and receive a sweet treat. Santa will draw tickets at every stop for special gifts from his gift bag before the train departs.
There will be four stops for the Santa Express including:
Honea Path – No stop at Hamby Road this year due to coal train in storage south of Belton.
Belton at O’Neal Street – Arrival 8:45 am, Departure 11:15 pm
Cheddar at Cheddar Road – 12:45 am – 2:15 pm
Williamston at Williams Street – 3 p.m.- 4:30 pm
Pelzer at Lyman Street – 5 pm – 7:30 pm
Santa plans to stay until the last person has a chance to come through the caboose in Pelzer.
Santa Express accepting food donations – Greenville & Western Railroad is partnering with the Belton Interfaith Ministerial Association (“BIMA”) and the Presbyterian Food Bank of Pelzer and Williamston (“PFB”) to collect food for those in the community who may presently find themselves in a time of real need.
Greenville & Western encourages those who attend this year’s event to bring a donation of one or more non-perishable food items to the train. Greenville & Western, BIMA and PFB volunteers will be in the Aiken Railway caboose (the caboose directly behind the locomotives) to accept donations. Donations are not mandatory for participation in the “Santa Express” event.
Local churches will also be holding special Christmas related services and programs.
