Friends of the Shelter to host Pictures with Santa on Dec. 13

Plenty of seasonal holiday events are on the schedule throughout the Valley Beautiful and beyond.CSAC Christmas Kickoff BreakfastThe Clinchfield Senior Adult Center will hold a Christmas Kickoff breakfast fundraiser from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the center. The cost is $8 per person and will include pancakes with a choice of bacon, sausage or hashbrown casserole along with juice and coffee. All proceeds will be matched by Modern Woodmen of America. The Clinchfield Senior Adult Center is located at 220 Union St., Erwin.Rocky Fork Full Moon HikeLamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond will offer a full moon hike from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. Join ranger Jeff Sweeney at the park lot adjacent to the interpretive fire pit for a moderate hike up to White Oak Flats to observe December's full moon. This hike is an exclusive after-hours hike to observe the moon along the Rocky Fork Valley and the distant mountain peaks. There is a $7 fee. Attendees are encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp, as well as water. Hikers are urged to wear closed toed shoes. To register, visit https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/ DecemberFullMoonHike. For more information, call (423) 673-5345 or email Jeffrey.Sweeney@tn.gov.Erwin Tree LightingThe Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce will present the 22nd annual Erwin Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, in downtown Erwin. The event will feature food vendors, music, s'mores by the fire, activities for kids and a train ride. The tree lighting will take place at 7:30 p.m. with a community choir and a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Free photo opportunities with Santa will also be available. For more information call (423) 743-3000.Christmas at the Carter MansionThe popular "Christmas at the Carter Mansion" returns to Elizabethton on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7. This reenactment of how Christmas was celebrated around 1780 by the family of John and Landon Carter features the sights and sounds of the 18th century as a guide escorts tour participants by lantern light. The group will walk through the oldest frame house in Tennessee at its annual finest, decorated with bright greenery and soft candlelight for the holidays. The Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street. Tours begin at 6 p.m. and a new tour starts every 20 minutes with the last tour starting at 8:20 p.m. General Admission is $14; Children 12 and under are admitted for $10; Tours are by registration only. To register online visit tnstateparks.com/parks/events/sycamore-shoals. For more information, call (423) 543-5808.BVHA Old Fashioned ChristmasThe Buffalo Valley Historic Association will present Old Fashioned Christmas from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Bogart/Bowman Cabin in Unicoi. The event will feature refreshments, music, singing, stories, fellowship, a candy cane hunt and a few surprise guests, including Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more information call (423) 571-4739, or follow the Buffalo Valley Historic Association on Facebook. The Bogart/Bowman Cabin is located on 5012 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi.Band Boosters Spaghetti DinnerThe Unicoi County High School Band Boosters will present a spaghetti dinner and Christmas market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Christmas market is free and tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $10 each and are sold prior to the event. The meal includes spaghetti, salad, bread, drink and dessert. The event will be held in the UCHS cafeteria. For more information on tickets call UCHS at (423) 743-1632.Holiday Makers FaireMill Spring Makers Market in downtown Jonesborough will hold its next Makers Faire event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Holiday Makers Faire is a bi-annual juried event featuring more than 70 of the region's best artists, makers and creatives. The outdoor market will take place along Spring Street and throughout Mill Spring Park in Jonesborough and include demonstrations, a food truck and lots of holiday cheer. The event will offer a great selection of unique handmade goods including pottery, fine art, furniture and wood crafts, jewelry, clothing, artisan chocolates and more. Entry to the Faire is free, and parking can be found nearby at the Jonesborough Library, behind the Washington County Courthouse and throughout downtown. Be sure to follow Mill Spring Makers on Facebook and Instagram for event updates and other information about their store, located at 144 E. Main St., Jonesborough.Christmas on Main in MarshallChristmas on Main, a magical Christmas Street Market, will be held in Marshall, North Carolina from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, along South Main Street. The event will also feature a visit from Santa Claus. Shuttles will run to and from the bypass to various parking locations. The event will feature a variety of local businesses, vendors, food and music.Bryan Bielanski to performBryan Bielanski will perform at 7 p.m. at The Appalachian Station at 19E in Roan Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 6. Bielanski, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, is making his second visit to the venue this year for a performance. He describes his music as rock and roll and noted that his audiences always remark about the authenticity, positive vibes, high energy and originality of his music, all of which he considers the greatest of compliments. The Appalachian Station at 19E is located at 9367 US-19E, Roan Mountain. For more information, visit his website at bryanssuperhappyfuntime.com.Christmas Craft ShowThe Kingsport Farmers Market Vendors will host its annual Christmas Craft Show from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Admission is free. The event will be held at 508 Clinchfield St., Kingsport. Some vendors do not accept payment by cards; others accept only card payments.YMCA Anniversary GalaThe Unicoi County Family YMCA will host its 100-Year Anniversary Gala from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at its center located at 601 Love St., Erwin. Tickets are priced at $30 per ticket and $225 for a table of eight. The event includes a dinner, awards and recognition, a live DJ and a live auction. A time capsule sealed a few decades ago will also be opened at the event.Weaverville Candlelight StrollThe 20th annual Candlelight Stroll will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 12, in downtown Weaverville, North Carolina. A tree lighting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Main Street Clock Lot. The event will feature storytelling, festive singing and caroling, gifts, kids crafts and much more. The Community Center and The Dry Ridge Museum will also offer a full night of festivities, as well as a ride back and forth from the Community Center to Main Street. Attendees can easily enjoy all of the fun at both locations. A scavenger hunt will be held with holiday characters hidden throughout Main Street. Santa Claus, as usual, will be hosted by Keller Williams Realty. Donation jars Cops 4 Kids will be dispersed along Main Street.Pictures with SantaThe Friends of the Shelter will hold its annual Pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Roller Pharmacy, 109 N. Main Ave., Erwin, Santa will available for a photo with all your 2- or 4-legged babies. There no charge but donations will be accepted with all proceeds going to benefit the Unicoi County Animal Shelter.Stockings of Loves Christmas CelebrationA Christmas celebration will take place at the Unicoi Visitors Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. The event will be sponsored by the Unicoi County Animal Shelter and the Appalachian Stockings of Love. The event is free and will feature an ugly Christmas sweater contest for animals and their owners, a silent auction, hot cocoa, cookies, cookie decorating, pictures with Santa and a meet and greet with Tennessee State Rep. Renea Jones. Gift wrapping will be available for a donation to the Unicoi County Animal Shelter. If you would like to sign up for a Christmas stocking for children up to 18, pets or the elderly, sign up by visiting the Appalachian Stockings of Love Facebook page or calling or texting (423) 341-2928.Breakfast with Santa at UCHSThe Unicoi County High School culinary arts department will present "Breakfast with Santa" from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the UCHS commons area. The menu will allow attendees to build their own waffle, enjoy bacon, sausage, hot chocolate and coffee while playing games and taking pictures with Santa. The cost is $20 per person. Attendees are asked to RSVP to hyderm@unicoischools.com by Wednesday, Dec. 10. For additional information, call (423) 743-1632.Cocoa & CarolsThe Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce will present Cocoa & Carols from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, in downtown Erwin. Everyone is invited to stop by the Chamber of Commerce office to pick up a free cocoa mug and "shopping passport" which features a list of participating merchants you can visit for some hot cocoa. Participants will be entered to win a $150 gift certificate. For more information on the event call (423) 743-3000.JCSO to present 'The Nutcracker'Johnson City Symphony Orchestra will present "The Nutcracker," a performance featuring East Tennessee Ballet Academy at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Seeger Chapel on the campus of Milligan University. Repertoire includes the entirety of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker, Ballet in Two Acts," with a live orchestra and ballet dancers. Tickets may be purchased at jcsymphony.com. All students, both school age and college/university, receive free tickets with ID at the box office the day of the concert.Swim with Santa at the YMCAThe Unicoi County Family YMCA will present "Swim with Santa" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20. Those attending will have the opportunity to swim in the YMCA pool with Santa and have a photo taken with him. Attendees will have the opportunity to decorate an ornament while enjoying hot cocoa and cookies. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Digital images of the photos will be emailed to parents after the event. To register, visit www.ucfymca.org or at the YMCA's front desk. The YMCA is located at 601 Love St. in Erwin. For more information call (423) 743-3361.Reece Blue Ridge Pottery ExhibitA new exhibit at the Reece Museum on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City celebrates the vintage charm of Blue Ridge Pottery produced in Erwin. The exhibit, which will remain on view through Dec. 12, is titled "Vintage Charm: The Collecting Legacy of Blue Ridge Pottery." Don and Susan Burkett generously loaned 21 pieces from their private collection to diversify the offerings in Vintage Charm, which features about 80 Blue Ridge Pottery pieces throughout the gallery. "Vintage Charm" is now on view through Dec. 12. The Reece Museum is open and free to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Gather in the Glow Light ShowEast Tennessee Lights of Hope is presenting "Gather in the Glow," a residential drive-thru light show designed to shine hope, love and connection across East Tennessee. The holiday event will be held each evening 6 to 10 p.m., Nov. 15 through Jan. 1., weather permitting. Take a slow drive through Opekiska Extension in Erwin, tuning in to FM 101.1 to enjoy synchronized Christmas lights dancing to music, then continue up the hill, make a left on Tipton and follow the glow to the end, where a special surprise awaits on the big screen. The event is to remind one another that even in the darkest nights, hope still shines. The event is sponsored by the non-profit organization Action & Awareness for Suicide Prevention. Follow the organization on Facebook, aasptheymatter on Instagram and online at https://www.aasptheymatter.org for event updates.Toys for Tots Drop-offErwin Town Hall will serve as a drop-off location for Toys for Tots during the holiday season. Bring new, unwrapped toys to Town Hall from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The toys need to be received by Dec. 12. Town Hall is located at 211 N. Main Ave., Erwin. For more information call (423) 743-6231.•••Send your community calendar events to ksilvers@sixriversmedia.com or bstevens@sixriversmedia.com. You can also use the submission form at erwinrecord.net.