Community Christmas celebrations - Dec. 6-9

Thursday, December 5, 2013

photo Staff File Photo
Members of Brownie ad Junior Girl Scout troops from Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences were among participant's in last year's East Ridge Christmas Parade. This year's parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Ringgold Road.

A look around the map shows that Christmas is busting out all over. Here are some events this weekend.

* Chickamauga, Ga.: Chickamauga Christmas Celebration, 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, includes holiday goodies, deals from downtown merchants and a free gift-wrapping booth, live Nativity and petting zoo, plus gingerbread man decorating for the kids, family picture booth and live music, ending with a parade. The route follows Gordon Street from the post office to Cove Road, finishing at Gordon Lee High School. Presented by Oakwood Baptist Church, Downtown Chickamauga Merchants Association and the city of Chickamauga. 706-375-5760, www.chickamaugachristmascelebration.com.

* Cleveland, Tenn.: A Classic Christmas in Cleveland lasts three days, starting with Carols in the City and lighting of the community Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Santa will be in charge of the tree lighting at the post office on Broad Street and will be available for visits from 6:15 to 8 p.m. in the bandstand at the Bradley County Courthouse plaza (bring your camera). The caroling takes place in reverse, with listeners doing the walking and singers stationed at downtown churches and other key sites. Free carriage rides will be offered until 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, features the annual Christmas parade, starting and ending at Bradley Central High School on South Lee Highway. Sunday, Dec. 8, offers the 25th annual Classic Christmas Concert at Lee University's Conn Center. Admission is free, but tickets are required for the limited seating. Call 423-614-8240. For more information, call 423-479-1000 or visit www.mainstreetcleveland.com.

* Cowan, Tenn.: The 49th annual Cowan Christmas Parade will start at 1 p.m. CST Saturday, Dec. 7, at Cookie's Corner and proceed down Cumberland Street through the downtown area to end at Cowan Elementary School. The theme is "Racing to Christmas," and the grand marshal is Ryan Gifford, a NASCAR Next driver originally from Winchester, Tenn. The Cowan Christmas Market will be set up 4-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, with free photos with Santa starting at 5:30 p.m., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 931-967-7318, www.cowanparade.org.

* Dayton, Tenn.: "The Magic of Christmas" is the theme of this year's old-fashioned Christmas parade, set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, along Market Street downtown. The event showcases nonmotorized carriages and wagons, horses, mules, caroling groups and costumed children. Other activities, scheduled noon to dark, include the sixth annual Christmas Critters pet pageant; performances by Dayton City, Rhea Central and Rhea County High School bands; photos with Santa; vendor booths on the courthouse lawn; and Appalachian Christmas music, featuring Wade Sims. Candlelight caroling follows the parade at 5:15 p.m. 423-775-9847, www.mainstreetdayton.org.

* Red Bank: The Christmas parade and community tree lighting will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, rain or shine. The parade route follows Dayton Boulevard from Newberry Street to Unaka (at Bi-Lo). Vendors will be set up at City Park, where the tree will be lighted, and the Chamber of Commerce will be accepting nonperishable food items. 423-877-1103.

* Ringgold, Ga.: The Down Home Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, beginning on Nashville Street and proceeding through downtown to the Ringgold Depot, where Santa Claus, the grand marshal, will be available for photos. Children's choir and dance performances will follow. Scheduled to perform are Kid's Station Christian Learning Center, 7 p.m.; Wood Station Elementary School, 7:15 p.m.; Tiger Creek Elementary, 7:45 p.m.; Boynton Elementary, 8:15 p.m.; TADA Dance Studio, 8:30 p.m. The city of Ringgold will decorate the route, and several retailers will be open late for shopping. 706-935-3061, www.cityofringgold.com.

* Soddy-Daisy: The second annual Christmas in the Park celebration is planned for 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Poe's Tavern next door to City Hall, 9835 Dayton Pike. The event will include musical entertainment, a bonfire, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus and refreshments. Firefighters will be collecting donations for Soddy-Daisy's Toys for Tots campaign. 423-332-5323.