12 DECEMBER 3-9, 2014
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas … that means shorter days, cold
nights and Christmas decorations in every store. It is time again for the family-
oriented Hope Mills Christmas Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Hope Mills welcomes Christmas in a big way and the celebration runs
throughout the day. A Day of Christmas In Hope Mills kicks-off at 8:30 a.m., with
the annual Breakfast with Santa
at the Hope Mills Recreation
Center. Children, with their
excitement barely contained,
line up to eat breakfast with
their favorite elf. Tickets are $6.
Residents can then spend the
rest of the morning shopping
in the downtown area shops
or grabbing a bite to eat before
staking out a spot for the big
event of the year, the Hope Mills
Christmas Parade.
The parade, which draws
huge crowds, begins at 3 p.m. at
the Hope Mills Municipal Park.
"We usually get a big turnout
with a lot of beauty queens,
local car clubs, military
units, local middle and high
school marching bands, local
businesses and a good variety
of others," said Ryan Gordon,
program supervisor of the Hope
Mills Parade. "We will have Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in the parade — the
kids really enjoy that."
Gordon added that this is a traditional community event and a lot of people
are involved in making it a success.
As the last sounds of Christmas carols fade away, town residents make their
way over to the gazebo by the now-empty Hope Mills Lake for the Annual
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
"We light our yule log and Santa comes to visit with the kids," said Gordon.
"There will be performances
by a ballet group and singing
groups at the tree lighting
ceremony," said Gordon.
He added that cookies, hot
chocolate and candy canes are
on hand for the children at the
ceremony and Santa Claus will
pass out 30,000 pieces of candy
to the children this year.
All participants in the parade
should reflect a holiday theme
and are encouraged to be
creative with costumes and
decorations.
"We encourage everyone to
come out and see the parade,"
said Gordon. "Hope Mills loves
Christmas and we look forward
to this fun-filled event."
The parade lineup is at 1 p.m.
and judging will
begin at 2:15 p.m.
For more information call 424-
4500.
Join Hope Mills as It Welcomes Christmas on Dec. 6
BY DR. SHANESSA FENNER
The Town of Hope Mills welcomes Christmas on Dec. 6, starting the day with Breakfast
with Santa, followed by the parade and the tree-lighting ceremony.
JENN TAFT, Contributing Writer.
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