Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1189426
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 4-10, 2019 UCW 19 Meetings For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Center. • Historic Preservation Commission, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center. • Board of Commissioners Meeting, Monday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m., Luther Board Room. • Historic Preservation Commission, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5 p.m.-6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center. • Lake Advisory Committee, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m., Parks and Recre - ation Center. • Veterans Affairs Commission, ursday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m., Parks and Rec- reation Center. • Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Monday, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center. • Appearance Commission, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recre- ation Center. Events • Christmas at the Lake, Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Hope Mills Lake. • Hope Mills Christmas Parade, Dec. 7, 3 p.m., Rockfish Elementar y School to Hope Mills Middle School. • Festival of Lights, Sunday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Hope Mills Lake. Holidays • Christmas, Dec. 24-26, Tuesday through ursday, All town offices closed. • New Year's Day, Jan. 1, Wednesday, All town offices closed. Promote yourself : Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com. CALENDAR NEWS EARL VAUGHAN JR., Senior Staff Writer. COMMENTS? EarlUCWS- ports@gmail.com. 910-364-6638. Christmas season arrives in Hope Mills by EARL VAUGHAN JR. A busy schedule of Christmas activities will take place from this weekend through next weekend in Hope Mills. The scheduled events will be held rain or shine. Only in the event of extreme bad weather will anything be canceled. Here's a quick look at the scheduled lineup of activities. For questions about any of the events contact Meghan Freeman at the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department at 910-426-4109. Christmas at the Lake The celebration begins Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. with Christmas at the Lake. This event features the lighting of the Christmas tree at the lake near the gazebo. There will be hot chocolate and cookies and free music provided by Kelly West of Cumulus Media. Hope Mills Christmas Parade One of the highlights of the Christmas season in Hope Mills is the annual Christmas parade, which is scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 7, and will begin at 3 p.m. This will be the first Christmas parade featuring the altered route that was introduced at this year's Fourth of July Parade. In the past, the parade start- ed at Hope Mills Middle School and wound its way through town to finish on Rockfish Road near the Town Hall complex. The route was reversed for the Fourth of July so that bands and other walking units don't have to negotiate the long hill climb that starts at the rail- road trestle and continues up Rockfish Road. Last year's parade attracted some 70 units according to Freeman. This story was written just prior to the deadline for submitting an entry into the parade so there was still time for late additions. This year's parade grand marshals will be the winners of the Miss Cotton Pageant. Other entries are expected to include local high school bands, businesses, churches, athletic groups, classic cars and of course Santa. Festival of Lights Right after the Christmas parade, enjoy the Festival of Lights at the Town Hall complex on Rockfish Road. Activities will begin at 5 p.m. The highlight of the Festival of Lights is the light- ing of the Christmas tree by Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner. In addition to the tree lighting, there will be free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. Kelly West of Cumulus Media will provide the music. There will be a giant snow globe spectators can get inside and take pictures. There will also be two train rides and Santa Claus will be on hand. The event will wrap up around 7 p.m. Breakfast with Santa For a second straight year, the town will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the main Hope Mills Fire Station at 5788 Rockfish Road. The event was moved to the fire station last year because of damage sustained to the parks and recre- ation building from Hurricane Florence. The event was such a success last year the fire department wanted to continue being involved with it, so it was kept at that location this year. This is the only town Christmas event requiring tickets. The cost is $10 per person. Children under the age of three are admitted free. There is a limit on the number of tickets. Only 250 are sold and it's first come, first served. Tickets can only be purchased in person at the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department near the Town Hall complex on Rockfish Road. The breakfast is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Music will be provided by Kelly West of Cumulus Media. The breakfast menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and juice and will be catered by Grandsons Buffet. Hope Mills News & Views Ronald King (left) and mayor Jackie Warner (right) at last year's Christmas parade. Christmas at the Lake features the lighting of the Christmas tree. Breakfast with Santa will take place on Dec. 14. Enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies at Christmas at the Lake.