Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2009 12:01 pm

Christmas Parades
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 “Sounds of Christmas" themed parade will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, 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.

The 7th annual Eagleville Christmas Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday 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.

Bethlehem Marketplace
On Saturday and Sunday, 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.

"Old Fashioned Christmas" at Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village
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.

A Northside Christmas
Northside Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, will present their fifth annual Christmas musical celebration “A Northside Christmas” this weekend.

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. Those in attendance this year will have a role to play in the evening’s events.

Northside Baptist Church is located at 655 West Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, next to Siegel High School.

Christmas Theater
The Center for the Arts presents the sequel to Smoke on the Mountain directed by John Blankenship at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday.
 
Conceived and directed by Alan Bailey and written by Connie Ray, A Sanders Family Christmas is a nostalgic comedy set to music and the second of three installments of the Sanders family’s life.

Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (65+), active military (with ID) and students (12-18 or with valid ID), and $10 for children under 12.

Tickets are available at 615-904-2787 or www.boroarts.org

The Center for the Arts is located at 110 W. College St., one block off the historic Murfreesboro Square.

The Arts Center of Cannon County, Lamplighter’s Theatre and Murfreesboro Little Theatre present the holiday classic, Radio Play: It’s A Wonderful Life this weekend.

The ACCC’s evening starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes dinner and a show for $25. For more information, or to make reservations, call 615-563-ARTS (2787) or visit www.artscenterofcc.org. The Arts Center of Cannon County is located at 1424 John Bragg Hwy. in Woodbury.

Smyrna’s Lamplighter’s Theater also tackles the play at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Assembly of God Church in Smyrna.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (55 and up) and $5 for children (4-12 years). The Assembly of God Church is located at 14119 Old Nashville Hwy. For more information, call 534-0148 or visit www.lamplighterstheatre.net.

Murfreesboro Little Theatre’s production takes the stage at 7 p.m. at 702 Ewing Ave. Tickets can be purchased at mltarts.com.

Barnes and Noble and March of Dimes Polar Express Pajama Party
Throw on your favorite pair of pajamas and head to Barnes and Noble on Saturday, for the March of Dimes Polar Express Pajama Party. The fun begins at 1 p.m. and will last until 3 p.m.

Barnes and Noble and the March of Dimes have teamed up to host the first ever March of Dimes Polar Express Pajama Party. This event will be a great way to transition to the Christmas season, all while in the comfort of your pajamas.

Parents can begin their Christmas shopping at the store while children take part in Polar Express activities that include: letter writing to Santa, drawing, coloring, crossword puzzles, word searches and a maze. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be given out. All members in the community are encouraged to attend.

Barnes and Noble is located at 2615 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro.

For more information, contact Leigh Tenewitz at ltenewitz@marchofdimes.com or 615-399-3200 ext. *20.

7th annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast
The Murfreesboro Rotary Club will hold its 7th annual Pancake Breakfast from 7-11 a.m. Saturday at Middle Tennessee Christian School.

This event is the annual fundraiser for the Murfreesboro Rotary Club and the proceeds will be used to fund various club projects including: Books from Birth, Greenhouse Ministries – The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, Youth Exchange, Center for the Arts, PETS (Personal Energy Transportation), Oakland High School Interact Club and The Rotary Foundation – Polio Eradication.

For more information, contact Ed Maupin at 867-3273.

Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry
Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department holds its monthly Fish Fry from 4-8 p.m. Saturday at 6531 Lascassas Pike.

All proceeds from the an all-you-can-eat meal including fish, chicken, hush puppies, white beans, Cole slaw, French fries and choice of drink benefit the LVFD. Homemade desserts are also available.

Adult meals are $11 with discounts for children and seniors.

For more information, contact Trey Nunley at 615-410-6631 or visit www.lascassasvolfire.com.