'Tis the Season

Parades and other outdoor events are subject to changes because of the weather. In 2017, the Catsquare Christmas Parade got canceled because of snow! Of course, it also got canceled in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic. [More on the Catsquare Parade, voting for Mayor of Catsquare and Miss & Little Miss Catsquare coming in a separate article.]

The virus is still around, but not as many cases are happening now as did the last couple of years, and the vaccines, while not perfect, are preventing the plethora of deaths that we had previously.

As for the weather, it's still too soon to tell how it might be on Dec. 10th when the Catsquare Parade happens, but it's a concern for the East Lincoln Betterment Association's Denver Christmas Parade this Saturday (Dec. 3rd) and for Santa's House and the carriage and wagon rides in downtown Lincolnton starting this Thursday night.

We have some good news! While Wednesday will be a VERY wet day with rain all day, it will be gone before Thursday evening and children can visit Santa at Santa's House at First Federal Park on North Poplar Street from 5 - 8 PM Thursday; and you can take in the beauty of downtown Lincolnton decorated for the holidays Thursday evening from 6:30 - 9:30. The starting point for the rides is the north side of the 100 block of East Main Street. Carriage rides are $15 per person (children under two years old, FREE) and wagon rides are $10 per person (both cash only).

Santa's House and the carriage & wagon rides will continue (weather permitting) Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings through December 17th.

There's a chance of showers (40%) on Saturday when the East Lincoln Betterment Association's Denver Christmas Parade happens, but it's more likely the rain (if any) will be in the morning, and it will likely just be overcast when the parade begins at 12:30 PM.

The theme for this year's Denver parade is "A Family Christmas." The parade will begin at 12:30 Saturday afternoon at North Pilot Knob Road and march northward on NC 16-business to the Captain's Cap.

The Grand Marshal for this year's parade is Ted Scercy, known to most as 'the bike man.' Ted, who is retired, spends much of his time fixing up donated bicycles for children whose families can't afford a bicycle. He repairs them, then turns over to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to surprise kids in the community.

Like Lincolnton and Stanley, ELBA held its Christmas Tree Lighting (in front of Lake Norman Lutheran Church, NC 16-business @ Natalie Commons Drive) on Sunday evening (Nov. 27th).

There is another important Christmas event in the Denver area this week. The East Lincoln Community Chorus will present "Letters to Santa" at Unity Presbyterian Church, 8210 Unity Church Road, Thursday and Friday nights at 7:30 and Saturday afternoon at 4:00. Children are encouraged to write their own letter to Santa and bring it with them to give to Santa before each performance. Admission is free, but donations will be appreciated. For more information, visit https://www.elccsings.com/.

Other Christmas events this week include the Christmas parades in Kings Mountain (3 PM Saturday) and Gastonia (5 PM Sunday). The town of Dallas will have a Christmas Carol Sing Saturday evening at 6:30 on the square in downtown Dallas.

The Lincoln Theatre Guild's production of "The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon" opens Friday night--Fridays & Saturdays 7 PM (Dec. 2, 3, 9 & 10) and Sunday afternoons 2 PM (Dec. 4 & 11) at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 E. Main Street.

Saturday will be the day for Breakfast with Santa (8:30 -11 AM) at the Cultural Center (reservations required); and there will be a Christmas Craft Bazaar at the Lincoln Senior Center, 612 Center Drive, from 9 - 2.