Christmas Events Make for Busy Season

As Christmas approaches, towns all over Columbus are celebrating to bring in the spirit of the season. Tree lightings, parades, and even the comeback of the Lake Waccamaw flotilla are just what Santa ordered up for some holiday cheer.

Whiteville celebrates the holidays

The Real Whiteville Santa is open for business once again this year. Jolly ole Saint Nick will be posing for pictures and listening to those Christmas lists from Nov. 25-Dec. 23 at the little white house next to Farm Bureau. His hours will be Wednesday-Saturday from 3:30 - 7 p.m., and you can find him at 113 West Smith Street.

The Columbus County Partnership for Children will present Magic on Main on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Take a journey through Smart Start, make crafts, and experience holiday surprises with Santa's helper. This event is family friendly from birth to 8 years old. CCPC is located at 109 West Main Street in Whiteville. Call 9140.642.8226 for more information.

The Columbus County Farmer's Market will present Christmas From the Heart on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Edgewood Elementary Chorus will be performing, and there will be raffles and door prizes. Vendors will be selling baked goods, BBQ, handmade crafts, and seasonal produce. The market is located at 132 Government Complex Drive in Whiteville.

The Whiteville Christmas parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. The procession will go from Webster to Lee and Franklin Streets.

The Whiteville Fun Factory will host a Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 10 and 17 from 9-11 a.m. The meal will include scrambled eggs, sausage patties, rolls, pancakes, juice, coffee, and water. Tickets are $25 per person, and spots are limited. Call 910.207.6136 to reserve your spot. The factory is located at 42 Hill Plaza.

The Whiteville Junior Woman’s Club will hold the Mistletoe Market on Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., and on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The event will be held at the Columbus County Fairgrounds this year so folks can enjoy shopping indoors and take advantage of the food trucks that will be available on site. The grounds are located at 886 Prison Camp Road.

Chadbourn Christmas Festival

The Chadbourn Christmas Festival will be held December 2 and 3 at the Chadbourn Depot Museum. Friday’s schedule includes the Christmas tree lighting and dedication at 6:30 p.m., featuring messages from Rev. Jerry Ganus and Rev. Dave Crumpler, and a performance by the Glad Trio. The Ugly Christmas Shirt contest will follow, and refreshments will be served throughout the evening.

On Saturday, Dec. 3, the fun begins at 8:30 a.m. The day will include food trucks, a gingerbread contest, and the reading of a Christmas Story. Santa will arrive at 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, and there will be a performance by the West Columbus Chorus later in the morning. Winners of the contest will be announced at 11 a.m. The museum is located at 201 West First Avenue.

Lake Waccamaw lights trees and boats

The town of Lake Waccamaw will have their traditional tree lighting on Friday Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. The evening will begin with a candlelight walk to the town tree followed by storytelling and caroling. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served at the Depot Museum after the event.

The Lake’s annual Christmas parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. The parade route will begin at Elizabeth Brinkley Park, go down Columbia Avenue, onto Lake Shore Drive, and end on Flemington Drive.

Come for the parade and stay for the flotilla. Lake Waccamaw will be bringing back the first Christmas boat flotilla since the 90s on Saturday evening. Boats decked out in shimmer and shine will line up at the Canal Cove boat ramp at 5:30 p.m. before heading Northeast towards Dale’s Seafood. The flotilla will make a full circle around the Lake for all to enjoy.

Tabor City turns into Twinkle Town

Tabor City will begin a lively transition into Twinkle Town starting on Monday, Nov. 21 with the Trim a Tree contest. Area residents and businesses are encouraged to decorate their evergreens in holiday décor and enter them to win prizes by calling 910.377.3012. Judging for the contest will be held on Dec. 13.

On Nov. 28, tickets go on sale for the annual Tabor City Cookie Crawl. Cookie boxes are $5 each and will include a list of participating merchants. They can be purchased at the Tabor City Public Library located at 101 East Fifth Street. Shop on Dec. 9 from 3-7 p.m. where local businesses will hand out cookies to fill the box. There will be 3 lucky boxes out there to redeem for prizes.

The town’s Christmas parade will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1, beginning at 6 p.m. The annual tree lighting will follow the procession. Entertainment and refreshments will be sold at the event, and Santa will be there to visit with the kids.

On Saturday, Dec. 17, Tabor City will present the Christmas on the Lake flotilla. Registration will be at Lake Tabor at 5 p.m., and the event will begin at 6 p.m. Hotdogs and other refreshments will be available for purchase, and the Grinch, Santa, and Cindy Lou Who will be on site.

Fair Bluff sings into the season

Fair Bluff will have an open house at their Depot Museum on Saturday, Dec. 10, beginning at 4 p.m. The South Columbus High School Chorus will serenade the crowd before the tree lighting at the Lumber River Visitors Center at 5 p.m., and the town will hold its annual Christmas parade at 6 p.m. The lineup will be on Causey Road, and Santa will be at the center for the little ones following festivities.

Fire departments host Christmas events

Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue Department is a drop off location for Toys for Tots this year. Bring a new, unused, unwrapped toy to the fire station. LWFRD is located at 203 Flemington Drive in Lake Waccamaw.

The Buckhead Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will host Christmas in Wonderland on Friday, Dec. 9, starting at 7 p.m. There will be games, face painting, food, soda, coffee, and hot chocolate. There will be a raffle, auction, and a prize for an ugly sweater contest. The station is located at 6810 Old Lake Road in Buckhead.

The Grissettown-Longwood Fire and Rescue Department will be having a Christmas train show from Dec. 3-4. There will be trains of all sizes, interactive displays, concessions, a baking table, train sets and accessories. Children of all ages are invited to attend. Doors open at 10 a.m., and admission is free. Donations to support the fire house are welcome.

SCC presents The Polar Express

Southeastern Community College will present The Polar Express Movie Night on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. The college has lots of Christmas fun in store including letters to Santa, train rides, reindeer food making, an elf dust station, reindeer games, and much more. The film will begin at 7 p.m., and drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. SCC can be found at 4564 Chadbourn Highway in Whiteville.