Cleveland County Events
Nov. 24
– ART FOR CHRISTMAS: 1-4 p.m., The Southern Arts Society at the old Southern Railway Station, 301 N. Piedmont Ave., Kings Mountain, more than 75 artists sell their fine arts and crafts.
Nov. 25
– CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: 7 p.m.; Children and their families will gather at Mauney Memorial Library for Christmas activities and stories prior to the tree lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus in a fire truck. Sponsored by the City of Kings Mountain, 704-734-0333, www.cityofkm.com.
Nov. 29
– HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES: Fridays, Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Uptown Shelby; adults $10, kids $5; enjoy a carriage ride through town and see the Christmas tree lit on the court square; sponsored by Uptown Shelby Association, 704-484-3100, www.uptownshelby.org
– VISIT WITH SANTA: Fridays, Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Santa’s House on the uptown Shelby court square, sponsored by Bank of the Ozarks
Nov. 30
– CLIFFORDS CHRISTMAS TREE LOT GRAND OPENING: Noon-4 p.m., Puppy Luv Grooming, 1623 S. Post Road, Shelby; marshmallow roasts, hot chocolate and more; pick out any size mountain grown tree for $25; Tree lot officially opens Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. For more information, contact cliffordsarmy@gmail.com or call 704-460-9030. Visit the Facebook page at www.facebook/Cliffords.Army
Dec. 5
– TREE OF HOPE LIGHTING: 4 p.m., Cleveland Regional Medical Center, hosted by the Auxiliary, 31st annual celebration; Public invited; a $10 donation places an angel on the tree in honor or memory of someone. Funds raised go to support Auxiliary projects. Donations should be sent to CRMC Auxiliary, 201 E. Grover St., Shelby. For more information, call Ginger Norman at 980-487-3889.
Dec. 6
– COMMUNITY THEATER PLAY: “Every Christmas Story Ever Told,” Dec. 6, 8, 13 and 15, in Keeter Auditorium on the campus of Cleveland Community College, South Post Road, Shelby. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday performances are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students. Discount presale tickets are available at Arnold’s Jewelers, Badcock More Furniture, Cleveland County Arts Council, Maxwell B. Hamrick Insurance and Neal Senior Center.
Dec. 7
– JINGLE BELL ROCKIN’ RUN: 9:30 a.m., sponsored by the Kings Mountain Family YMCA, a 10k run along the tree-lined streets of the West End Historic District. The start and finish is at Patriots Park.
– GET MUGGED AT SASI: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Southern Arts Society Inc. Depot, 301 N. Piedmont Ave., Kings Mountain; tickets are $15 each and include your choice of a mug with coffee or hot chocolate and holiday goodies. Call Bernice at 704-739-5723 for details.
– CHRISTMAS IN KINGS MOUNTAIN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., tour the historic Cornwell and Barber Houses decorated for the holidays, Kings Mountain Historical Museum, 100 East Mountain St., Learn about the history of Christmas celebrations, and see traditional craft demonstrations such as Scherenschnitte, the historic German art of paper-cutting, presented by Linda Bell; 3-5 p.m., City of Kings Mountain’s annual Christmas Parade (Museum closed); 5-7 p.m.: Extended evening hours of “Toys, Games Trains” exhibit, candlelight tours of the historic Barber House, and hot apple cider by the firelight. The Museum will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is free. For information, call 704-739-1019 or visit www.kingsmountainmuseum.
– HOLIDAY HOME TOUR: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., hosted by The Cleveland County Arts Council, features six homes each decorated for the holiday season; tickets are $15 at the Arts Center, 111 S. Washington St., Shelby, by phone in advance or at the homes on the day of the tour. A hand decorated artisan wreath will be raffled off to a lucky tour attendee. Arts Center “Handmade for the Holidays” Gift Gallery also open. Lunch available for $5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arts Center during the tour.
– SANTA ON THE CHIMNEY: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec, 7 and 14, Chimney Rock State Park; Santa practices on one of the world’s largest chimneys. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy holiday music, hot cocoa and cookies, guided family hikes and kids’ activities; no additional cost with paid park admission; learn more at www.chimneyrockpark.com/events or 800-277-9611; watch this sneak peak of Santa practicing: http://bit.ly/ZdmT1w
– FALLSTON TOUR OF HOMES: Dec. 7, 5-8 p.m.; and Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.; tickets are $7 and available at the Fallston Womans Clubhouse, N.C. 18 North, where refreshments will be served; proceeds go to a needy family; featured homes include Dennis and Denise Jones, Luke and Julie Humphries and William and Susan Herndon.
– “CHRISTMAS WITH THE KING” A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS PRESLEY: at The Performing Arts Foundation, Isothermal Community College in Spindale; fundraiser for the Cleveland-Rutherford Kidney Association; concert features Travis Powell of Shelby; tickets are $25 for house seats, $35 for meet and greet seats, and $50 for box seats; group rates are $20 each for 10 or more; tickets call 704-481-9535 or email michellecrka@aol.com; information also available on the website: crkarainbow.webs.com
– CLEVELAND COUNTY CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT: 7 p.m., Dec. 7; and 3 p.m. Dec. 8, Aldersgate United Methodist Church; 704-487-0773
Dec. 8
– SANTA AT PHIFER CABIN: 2-4 p.m., Broad River Greenway, 126 Broad River Drive, Boiling Springs; bring the kids for a relaxing afternoon in the woods; refreshments and a child-friendly craft Christmas memory; bring your camera for a good picture with Santa., 704-434-0040, www.broadrivergreenway.com
Dec. 14
– SANTA CLAUS AND MRS. CLAUS: 11 a.m., The Kings Mountain Historical Museum, 100 East Mountain St., Mrs. Claus will read the classic 1823 children’s story, “The Night Before Christmas”; 1-3 p.m., Santa will visit; bring a camera for photos. The Museum will also be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is free. For information, call 704-739-1019 or visit www.kingsmountainmuseum.
Dec. 16
– FALLSTON’S LIGHT UP THE TOWN: Dec. 16-20, Annual Christmas decorating contest; five categories: Kid’s choice, Most Elegant, Most Brightest, Most Traditional and Most Creative. Winners will receive $25. Homes can be within the city limits or a 2-mile radius outside the city limits.
Dec. 17
– NEAL SENIOR CENTER CHRISTMAS FEAST: 11:30 a.m., Neal Senior Center, 100 T.R. Harris Drive, Shelby, $7.50 per person, takeouts available, includes turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, coleslaw, green beans, yams, bread, dessert and beverage; music by Handbell Choir of New Hope Baptist Church in Earl; purchase tickets by 5 p.m. Dec. 9, information: Mary, 704-482-3488
Dec. 24
– MOUNTAIN REST LUMINARIES: 5:30 p.m.-midnight, luminaries will glow throughout Mountain Rest Cemetery
Rutherford County Events
Nov. 28
– CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: 7 p.m., featuring 1 million lights, Santa House open and ice skating, East Main Street, Forest City, bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots in Rutherford County
Nov. 29 and 30
– VINTAGE DECORATION EXHIBIT , 9 a.m.-8 p.m., also Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., The interior of St. John’s Historic Church, 316 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton, will be transformed into a wonderland of lights and holiday sounds when the Rutherford County Historical Society showcases hundreds of vintage Christmas decorations from the 1930s through the 1980s. Tickets are $5 each (children and students admitted free with a paying adult). All proceeds will benefit the historical society. For more information call Bush at 828-447-1473, or email him at lesleybush@windstream.net.
Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at 6 p.m.
– WINTERSKATE: Forest City, rink located a the Santa House, East Main Street, $7, call 828-245-4543 to book skating parties, bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots in Rutherford County
Dec. 6
– BOSTIC CHRISTMAS: 6 p.m., Bostic Lincoln Center open house, 112 Depot St., Bostic, museum open house, presentation of the comedy, “A Christmas Chaos,” by the Rutherford Community Theatre; music by the choirs of First Baptist Church of Bostic and the True Grace Trio of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, prizes, free refreshments and a visit from Santa. Information: Lydia Clontz, lydiaclontz@bellsouth.net or the Bostic Lincoln Center, 828-245-9800.
– HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: 7 p.m., Music, Mountain Oaks Christmas, Union Mills Learning Center, Union Mills
Dec. 6 and 13 from 6 to 9 p.m.
– SANTA IN THE PARK: Main Street Park, Rutherfordton
Dec. 6, 13 and 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.
– HAYRIDE: Forest City, $2 per person, load across from the fountain, bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots in Rutherford County
Dec. 6, 13 and 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 7, 14 and 21 from 4 to 9 p.m.
– SANTA HOUSE: East Main Street, Forest City, no charge for children to talk with Santa but a donation to Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy of $3 is appreciated for a photo with Santa; bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots in Rutherford County
Dec. 7 and 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– SANTA ON CHIMNEY ROCK: w itness Santa’s daring stunt as he practices on one of the world’s largest chimneys. Plus, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy holiday music, hot cocoa and cookies, guided family hikes and kids’ activities. There is no additional cost with paid Park admission. Learn more at www.chimneyrockpark.com/events or 800-277-9611.
Dec. 7
– TREE LIGHTING AND SANTA: 5-7 p.m., Chimney Rock Village
Dec. 7, 14 and 21 from 6 to 9 p.m.
– CARRIAGE RIDES: Forest City, load across from the fountain, $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12, last tickets sold between 8 and 8:30 p.m., bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots in Rutherford County
Dec. 8, 15 and 22 from 2 to 6 p.m.
– SANTA PAWS: Forest City, Bring your pets for a photo with Santa at the Santa House. Sponsored by the Community Pet Center as a fundraiser for a $5 donation; bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots in Rutherford County .
Dec. 9
– CHRISTMAS HOUSE WALK: 9 a.m., walk and view houses; 12:30 p.m. luncheon at Fairfield Mountains Chapel, Lake Lure, Planned by the Women of the Church at Fairfield Mountains Chapel to raise money for non-profit organizations in the community. Tickets are $15 each and include the walking tour of four homes and a luncheon afterwards at Lakeview Restaurant at Rumbling Bald Resort. Advance sale tickets are available at Fairfield Mountains Chapel. For more information and ticket purchases call 828-625-2411.
Dec. 13
– SHAPE NOTE SINGING: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Old St. John’s Church, Rutherfordton; Listen in awe as participants sit facing one another in a square exchanging harmonies and melodies in glorious a cappella fashion. Each of the seven notes sung has a different shaped head that reflect a sound on the classic Italian scale. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 828-287-0508 or visit www.christianharmony.org.
Christmas parades in both counties
Dec. 1
– BOILING SPRINGS CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m., Entry forms are available online at www.boilingspringsnc.net. After the parade, attendees will have an opportunity to visit with Santa until 5 p.m. at the Boiling Springs Museum, 109 S. Main St. For more information, call the Boiling Springs Town Hall at 704-434-2357.
– EARL CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m., Theme: The Sounds of Christmas, information available from www.TowOfEarl.org, parade@townofearl.org or call 704-709-9627, participants line up on south Bettis Road at 1 p.m., judging begins at 2 p.m.
– FOREST CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m.
Dec. 7
– GROVER CHRISTMAS PARADE: 11 a.m., line up is at 10 a.m. No charge to enter the parade. Entry deadline is Nov. 22. Contact Anna Hughes at 704-730-9221 or Jackie Bennett at 704-937-7932
– KINGS MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m., applications available online at www.cityofkm.com or can be picked up from Lynda Mattox at City Hall. 704-473-8727
– POLKVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m., to place an entry, call Kim B. Swink at 704-538-3668; leave a message and phone number
– JOINT CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m., Rutherfordton/Spindale; Spindale parade begins at 3 p.m. and Rutherfordton parade begins at 5 p.m.
Dec. 8
– ELLENBORO CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m.
Dec. 14
– TOWN OF KINGSTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE: 1 p.m., Eighth annual parade sponsored by Kingstown Community for Concerned Citizens, line up begins at noon at Palmer Grove Baptist Church, all entries welcome – $10 for small single unit and $20 for large units; no charge for non-profit and government officials, deadline to enter is Dec. 6; Ramona Gash, Parade Coordinator, 704-480-1042 or 704-484-9776
– FALLSTON CHRISTMAS PARADE: 2 p.m., line-up at 1:30 p.m. at Fallston Elementary School. There is no entry fee. To participate, contact Mitzi Ramsey at 704-538-0775 or Judy Searcy at 704-692-6099.
Dec. 15
– SHELBY CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m.,Lafayette Street in Uptown Shelby, 704-484-3100, www.UptownShelby.org
Church-sponsored events
Dec. 1
– Carpenter’s Grove Baptist Church, 1117 Carpenter’s Grove Church Road, Lawndale, will have its Fifth Annual Christmas Tree lighting at 4 p.m. Free barbecue with all the fixings will be served. Craft activities will be available for the kids, and Behind The Cross Gospel Quartet will be singing.
– New Hope Baptist Church, N.C. 198, Earl, is looking for singers for the Earl community choir to sing familiar Christmas songs at the community service following the Earl Christmas parade at 4:30 p.m. There will be two short practices at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 and Nov. 30 (1 p.m. for anyone that plays a musical instrument and would like to participate) Everyone is welcome. Service will be followed by a soup and sandwich supper at 6 p.m.
Dec. 6
– Sandy Plains Baptist Church, 2112 New House Road, Shelby, will present an outdoor Christmas drama, “Come to Bethlehem” from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6-8. It is a walk-through experience and guests can arrive at any time between 6 and 8. Admission is free, but canned food donations will be accepted. Groups recommended to come Friday or Saturday. For more information, visit www.sandyplainsbaptist.com
Dec. 7
– Polkville United Methodist Church, N.C. 226 and N.C. 10, Polkville, will have its annual bazaar from 7 a.m.-noon. Crafts, baked goods and more will be sold. Biscuits will be sold beginning at 7 a.m. For more information, call 704-538-9486.
– Zion Hill Baptist Church, 8173 Old NC 18 Highway, Lawndale, will have a Christmas bazaar from 8 a.m.-noon, with breakfast, crafts, quilts, and baked and canned goods.
– Prospect Baptist Church, 2610 Prospect Church Road, Mooresboro, will have a live drive-through nativity from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7-8. Cars, vans and church buses welcome. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served. The drive-through is approximately 20 minutes and includes five scenes with live participants and animals. The last scene is a full nativity scene. The Christmas story will be provided on CD or cassette tape or tape players will be provided. For more information, call 828-755-4842.
Dec. 20
– First Baptist Church of Shelby, 120 N. Lafayette St., Shelby presents a musical at the Don Gibson Theatre 7 p.m. Dec. 20-21; and 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 22. The Broadway-style musical is called “I’ll be home for Christmas.” Tickets are $5 and are available at First Baptist Church or by calling 704-482-3467. The event is sponsored by Music and Drama Ministries of FBC; and 80 percent of the proceeds go to Abuse Prevention Council and Cleveland County Rescue Mission.