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Article published Nov 30, 2008 Area Christmas parades, lighting events abound
By Iva Butler of The Daily Times Staff
The Christmas season of tree lightings, parades and other festivities has officially begun in Blount County.
The season's first Christmas parade was held Saturday in Louisville. The parade went down Louisville Road to Louisville Point Park.
The first tree lighting ceremony was held Saturday night at the second annual H.O.M.E. for Christmas event at the Martin Luther King Community Center.
Next up is the Springbrook Splendor Christmas events beginning at 6:15 p.m. Monday in Springbrook Park with the lighting of the City of Alcoa Christmas Tree.
Music will be provided by William Aaron Tracy and the Alcoa Singers, Alcoa Elementary Wednesday Choir and Thursday Trebles.
The pathways in the upper fields of the park will be outlined with luminaries. Santa Claus will arrive with the help of Alcoa Fire Department. Train rides will be available for the children. Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be served.
Rain date for the event is Tuesday.Courthouse Christmas
The 17th Annual Christmas at the Courthouse, a Hometown Christmas event, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Blount County Courthouse.
The schedule of activities is: 6:30 p.m. - lighting of Festival of Trees and music by Carpenter's Elementary Cougar Club Chorus; 7 p.m. - arrival of Santa Claus on Blount County Fire Department fire engine; and 7-8 p.m. - train rides and light refreshments.
Everyone is invited to the event, which will be held rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the program will be canceled or moved indoors.Friendsville Parade
The next parade is the Friendsville Christmas Parade scheduled at 3 p.m. Saturday. Lineup will begin at 2 p.m. at Friendsville Elementary School.
The parade route will go from the school onto East Fourth Avenue, turn left on North Farnum Street, right on West College Avenue, right on North Morgan Street, left on West Second Avenue, left on Church Street, left on West Hill Avenue, left on North Farnum Street, right on East Third Avenue and arrive back at the school.
The Ellejoy Community Christmas Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ellejoy Market on Ellejoy Road and continue to Oak View Church.
Townsend Christmas Parade is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. It will start at Nawger Nob Craft Settlement, turn onto East Lamar Alexander and proceed to Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum.
Line-up will begin at 10 a.m.
The City of Maryville's official tree lighting ceremonies will be held Monday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pistol Creek Station, which is near the bridge over Greenbelt Lake linking the Greenbelt to the Blount County Public Library.Three parades Dec. 13
Three parades will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13:
The Maryville/Alcoa Jaycee Christmas Parade, traditionally the largest and the oldest Christmas parade in the area, will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 on Joule Street in Alcoa.
It will proceed through Alcoa and Maryville. The parade route will be announced later.
The Greenback Christmas Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at Greenback School.
The Rockford Christmas Parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13. It will start at Little Brooke Industrial Park, turn right onto Singleton Station Road, left on Williams Mill Road, turn left on Old Knoxville Highway and left on Little River Road, ending up at Rockford Park.
In many of the smaller communities, refreshments will be available at the ends of the parade routes.