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Santa makes an appearance at last year’s King Christmas Parade.
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Children hold candles aloft at a candlelight ceremony during “Christmas in Historic Danbury” last year.
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The Grinch rolls through Walnut Cove during last year’s annual Christmas parade.
With Thanksgiving now past, towns are preparing to kick off the Christmas season. And this year there will be no shortage of holiday events for Stokes County residents to enjoy.
Each municipality will hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony this year, while King and Walnut Cove will also continue their traditions of holding Christmas parades.
Some upcoming holiday events from around the county are listed below in chronological order. More can be found in the Community Calendar inside this week’s paper.
King Tree Lighting
The City of King will kick off the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at King Central Park at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30. The city will celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season by lighting the city Christmas tree.
The West Stokes High School Band will begin playing Christmas music at 6:30 p.m. Santa will be at the Spainhour Cabin for children to visit during the event, and parents can bring their own cameras to take pictures. Light refreshments and chicken stew will be served free of charge at the event.
King Parade
The annual King Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. This year’s theme is “Let It Snow,” and Shannon Smith with Fox 8 News will be the grand marshal.
During the parade, Scouts from Pack/Troop 409 will be conducting their annual toy drive to benefit Stokes County children. The Scouts will be collecting new, unwrapped toys in wagons as they march along the parade route. All toys donated will be given to children in need in the community.
E. School Street, E. Dalton Road from E. School Street to Main Street, and Main Street from Dalton Road to Jefferson Church Road will be closed beginning at 9:45 a.m. until the end of the parade, according to the city website. Motorists will need to take detours around those streets.
The Stokes County Arts Council sponsors the parade and will accept float entries through Friday. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were about 75 entries. Applications are available online at stokesarts.org or by calling the Arts Council at 336-593-8159.
The rain date for the parade is Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m.
Winter Dessert Series
The annual Winter Dessert Theatre Series will kick off Dec. 1 with the Andrews Sisters Tribute Christmas Show at 7 p.m. at the new Poplar Springs Elementary School, located at 223 Hobe Kiser Road, King. A 6:30 p.m. pre-show will be presented by the Star Catchers. For tickets or information, call 336-593-8159 or visit www.stokesarts.org.
Admission prices to Winter Dessert Theatre Series performances are $14 for general audience, $12 for seniors 60 and older, and $10 for Stokes Arts members and students. The admission includes dessert and the performance. Dessert is served prior to the performance. For tickets or information, call 336-593-8159 or visit www.stokesarts.org.
Christmas in Danbury
“Christmas in Historic Danbury” will be held Dec. 2 from 2 to 6 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities. The event is sponsored by the Stokes County Arts Council, Town of Danbury, Stokes County Historical Society and Artist’s Way Bakery.
Lance Crumley will be the featured artist at the Apple Gallery, 500 N. Main Street, Danbury, during the month of December, and an opening reception will be held at the gallery during the Christmas event. The reception will last from 2-5 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Festivities include special music at the gallery by Jennifer Lane and friends.
In addition to the gallery reception, there will be tours of the Stokes County Museum from 2 to 4 p.m.; music and dance at Artist’s Way, which include the West Stokes Chorus at 2 p.m., New London Youth Choir at 2:15 p.m., CC Dance Company at 2:30 p.m., Sue Jarvis and her special Christmas Story at 3 p.m., Roslyn Covington and Imani Graves at 3:45 p.m. and the Dickens Carolers at 4 p.m.
Also, on the courthouse lawn across from the Stokes County Arts Council beginning at 2 p.m. will be music and dance by Global Expressions, followed by the music of Allen Bullins, Anika and Django Burgess, Dustin Pyrtle and Tim Sands.
Mayor Janet Whitt will host the tree lighting dedication, followed by a candlelight service and Christmas caroling. Local arts and crafts vendors will be on site. The public is invited to attend this admission free event and enjoy apple cider and light refreshments. For more information, call 336-593-8159 or visit stokesarts.org.
Walnut Cove Tree Lighting
The annual Walnut Cove Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, Dec. 7 in Fowler Park at dusk, around 5:30 p.m. The park is located in front of the Walnut Cove Public Library.
The tree lighting is part of the “Walnut Cove Old-Fashioned Christmas” event, and some merchants plan to stay open until 7:30 p.m. downtown in conjunction with the event. There will be light refreshments, including hot chocolate, at the tree lighting. Bruce Burgess will perform between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. A small train will be provided by Brinkley Entertainment, which will provide rides through the park to children and adults for a nominal fee.
Santa Claus will also be present to take pictures with children. The cost is $5 or a donation of four non-perishable items — preferably toiletries or pet food. The monetary donation will go to Inspire Stokes County and the non-perishable items will go to East Stokes Outreach Ministry.
King Shopping Night
Also on Dec. 7, the King Chamber of Commerce plans to host a special Christmas Shopping Night downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. Store owners in downtown King are encouraged to observe the extended hours and offer special discounts.
Walnut Cove Parade
The annual Walnut Cove Christmas Parade is set to take place on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. and will take its traditional route through downtown. Fox 8’s Chad Tucker will be the grand marshal.
Parade Chairman Arzelle Montgomery said there will be no major changes to the parade this year. About 50 participants had signed up so far as of Tuesday afternoon. Anyone who still wants to enter a float in the parade or sign up to sell food or crafts can call the Walnut Cove Masonic Lodge at 591-8171 or Montgomery at 591-7617.
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