With Thanksgiving passed, all eyes turn to the Christmas season with the big day now just 26 days away.
With the holiday season moving into fourth gear, a quick and easy list of our community’s signature Christmas season events should be helpful, so here’s this week’s Murfreesboro Post Top 10 (11 in an effort to get on Santa’s nice list):
1. The annual Rutherford County Christmas tree lighting Dec. 4 is an event that seems to grow every year.
County Mayor Ernest Burgess and Santa Claus will flip the switch to turn on the lights of the community Christmas tree on the south side of the historic Courthouse with entertainment for the whole family adding to the holiday spirit.
The Puppets of Praise from First Baptist Church begins at 5:30 with a special pre-show performance; followed by the main stage program which begins crisply at 6 p.m. Performers on the main stage will include Bradley School of the Arts orchestra, Siegel Middle School choir, Baker Performance Academy dancers, Brooke Arrington, North Boulevard Church a cappella choir, Homer Pittard Campus School choir, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church choir and Oakland High School Choir.
2. In terms of numbers, the long-running Rutherford County Christmas Parade, sponsored by WGNS, is the holiday’s top event, drawing thousands and thousands for the march from MTSU to downtown.
The theme of this year’s parade is “Sounds of Christmas." It will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, starting at MTSU’s Bell Street Parking lot, down East Main Street, around the historic Murfreesboro Square, onto West Main and ending on Walnut Street.
Parade Coordinator Angie Walker reminds everyone that all entries must be decorated and that as in past years go-carts, 18-wheelers and other vehicles are not eligible.
3. Smyrna will hold “An Old Fashioned Christmas,” the city’s 35th annual Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
The parade route will be Lowry Street from Mayfield Drive traveling north to Nolan Drive, ending in front of the Kmart shopping center.
Trophies will be awarded for the best floats and walking groups.
4. The 7th annual Eagleville Christmas Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 in downtown Eagleville.
The parade will take a route through downtown Eagleville with the theme "Home for the Holidays ... Honoring those who Serve.”
Special honorees will include fire fighters, law enforcement, emergency service and military personnel. The city is also collecting phone cards to be sent to military personnel overseas so they can call home. Donations can be made anytime at City Hall and on the day of the parade.
There is no entry fee for participants, but participants must register for the parade.
Entry forms must be completed returned to Eagleville City Hall no later than Monday, Dec. 7. For questions or for more information contact City Hall at 274-6992 or cadams@eaglevilletn.com. Registration forms can be found at www.eaglevilletn.com.
5. Not unlike the Wise Men some 2,000 years ago, folks come from near and far each December, seeking 708 Minerva Drive and a unique Christmas observance.
On Dec. 12-13, Bethlehem Marketplace will see its 28th annual staging from 1-5 p.m. in the Family Life Center at Southeast Baptist Church.
Marketplace is a walk-through drama re-enacting how the village of Bethlehem might have appeared the morning after the birth of Jesus. Its atmosphere and surroundings are those of 2,000 years ago.
It features characters in historically accurate costumes such as Roman soldiers, prisoners, tentmakers, weavers, carpenters, merchants in shops, census-takers and more. Talk among the Marketplace characters is from that long-ago time.
Live camels and other animals lend authenticity to the re-enactment, and 20th-century items do not appear.
The drama is put on entirely by approximately 300 church members. There is no admission, no donation accepted, and nothing actually is for sale. Tour time averages about one hour, even at times of peak crowds.
6. Get in on the act this holiday season at a variety of shows at all the local community theaters.
• “A Sanders Family Christmas” at the Center for the Arts,
• “Radio Play: It’s A Wonderful Life” at both the Arts Center of Cannon County and Lamplighters Theatre,
• “The 1940s Radio Hour” at Murfreesboro Little Theatre, and
•”Babes in Toyland” by the Sunshine Players at the Patterson Park Community Center.
7. The annual Oaklands Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes is slated for Dec. 5 from 4-8 p.m. in downtown Murfreesboro. The tour, sponsored by the Oaklands Association and MidSouth Bank, will feature beautiful and historic private homes, a distinctive church, and the graceful Oaklands Historic House Museum.
Set in the historic district of Murfreesboro, stops along the delightful tour include the following church and residences:
Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue,
Mrs. Linda Parks, 401 East Main Street,
Mr. and Mrs. James Roberts, 434 East Main Street,
Mr. and Mrs. George White, 506 East Main Street,
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Smythe, 511 East Main Street,
Drs. Robert and Elizabeth Bray, 521 East Main Street,
Cedar Grove Church, 528 East Main Street,
Mr. and Mrs. David Hennington, 550 East Main Street,
Dr. and Mrs. Eric Egli, 602 East Main Street,
Mr. and Mrs. Don Gregg, 628 East Main Street.
Additionally, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Murfreesboro Camp No. 33 will present living history demonstrations on the lawn of the mansion.
“Visiting the festively appointed homes on our Candlelight Tour is a popular way to begin the celebration of the holidays,” said James Manning, executive director of Oaklands Historic House Museum.
The cornerstone is the grand Oaklands Historic House Museum. Docents in period attire will guide visitors through the history of this gracious mansion.
The proceeds of the Candlelight Tour of Homes go toward the care and upkeep of this historic treasure. Admission is $10 per person 21 years and older, students $8, ages 6-12, $5, ages 5 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased at any home on the tour and at Oaklands Historic House Museum.
8. A merry, old-fashioned village dressed for the holidays with music and fun for the family can be found at the historic Cannonsburgh Village on Front Street Dec. 12 from 2-4 p.m.
The free event captures holiday decorations and observances from historical times.
9. Maestro Jeffrey Reed and the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra will take the stage on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, for its annual Christmas concert, this year themed, “A Reel Christmas.”
A community favorite, the concert will feature songs the whole family will enjoy from classic Christmas movies. Among the list of pieces, attendees will hear the timeless holiday classics, A Charlie Brown Christmas, White Christmas, Polar Express Concert Suite and more
“And we are excited to announce the return of the classic sing-along this year. Families are going to leave ready to make this a holiday tradition,” Reed announced.
Oboe soloist Laura Ann Ross will perform the emotional "A Winter’s Past."
The symphony will hold a pre-concert social reception in the Suntrust Bank lobby from 5-6:30 pm. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served. Tickets are $25 and reservations must be made by Nov. 30.
Contact the MSO office at 615-898-1862 for more information or to make reservations.
A Reel Christmas concert tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online at MSOTix.com or by phone at 615-898-1862.
10. MTSU Orchestra presents the holiday classic Handel’s Messiah at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 in the Wright Music Building (Earl T. Hinton Music Hall). Tickets are $10 at the door.
11. Northside Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, will present their fifth annual Christmas musical celebration “A Northside Christmas,” Friday through Sunday, Dec. 11-13.
This year’s event is an interactive musical experience, and features the church’s choir and orchestra, as well as Chris Gerbman as emcee. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday evening. Admission to each performance is free. Childcare will be provided for infants through three years.
A musical treat for the family, “A Northside Christmas” is the church’s Christmas gift to the community. In 2008, more than 2,400 came to see the presentations of “A Night In the Toy Store.”
Those in attendance this year will have a role to play in the evening’s events.
“We want everyone to be able to help us celebrate Christmas,” said Ryan Krivsky, worship minister at the church. “The audience will have the opportunity to join in the singing and even the decorating of the auditorium. This will be a fun event for the family.”
Northside Baptist Church is located at 655 West Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, next to Siegel High School.
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