Holidays in Full Gear with Upcoming Open Houses, Festive Activities.
Festive fun continues as the holiday season bursts with a continuing succession of fun events, including Chamber of Commerce’s Open House Friday, December 12, beginning at 5 until 8 p.m. This event takes place at the beneath a large tent canopy beside the Visitors’ Center, the tent conveniently equipped with heaters and outside fire pits to keep attendees toasty, an added attraction being Chamber Director Kat Menzies preparing her very own homemade Posole Verde.There will also be cookies and hot chocolate, and local realtor Kelsey Loftis has sponsored a photo booth with Santa Claus.New this year, and running through the entire course of the evening December 12 will be the Twinkle Trail Hayride, which is a traditional hayride tour of holiday lights within town limits. The ride begins at the Chamber to the Country Store, journeys over the Ball Flats, through downtown and over to businesses in Wade’s Addition and back to the Chamber. This tour will occur repeatedly through the evening, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the beautifully decorated homes and businesses throughout town.In addition, the Visitors’ Center event will also host both a Christmas tree auction and a stuffed stocking auction benefitting Wee Care, both beginning at 5 and running through 7:30 p.m.Menzies says that for the tree auction, 24 trees have been decorated by local volunteers to be auctioned, proceeds going to local families in need.More holiday magic is happening December 13, a.k.a. Merry Mountain Market, which is, according to the Chamber of Commerce, “Lake City’s festive spin on shopping local, an easy, cheerful excuse to bundle up, stroll through town, and support the businesses that keep our community thriving. Discover great gifts, enjoy holiday spirit around every corner, and make a little mountain magic while you shop.”This event includes Kids Christmas Crafts in the Armory, 10 a.m., where parents can deposit children to do crafts while they shop. At 1 p.m., there will be a cakewalk for the kids, and if anyone would like to donate a baked confections – cakes, cookies, pies, or cupcakes, they can be dropped off Friday, December 12 at the Visitor’s Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., or Saturday, December 13, from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Windy Point Trading Company, including Sweet Peas, Chell’s Kitchen, and Anita’s Attic will be hosting their open house. According to Sweet Pea’s Kathleen Murphy-Whinnery, “there will be lots of goodies to taste, refreshments, deals, fresh flowers, and a drawing for a beautiful fire pit!” Also hosting an open house that day will be Tracy Toler-Lanktree, at Cabin Fever Mercantile on Silver Street downtown.Thursday evening, December 18, Lake City Community School students will perform this year’s holiday play, “The Grumps of Ring-A-Ding Town,” starting 5 p.m. at the school.Thursday, December 18 there will also be a special cookie decorating and exchange event at the Senior Center in the Armory noon and, finally, a second Merry Mountain Market Saturday, December 20, with last minute Christmas magic and ice skating from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Armory.
