Merry Christmas!

Here’s a list of parades and tree lighting ceremonies for each Randolph County city or town. You can find more details about the events in the events calendar on page 5B.

ASHEBORO

Friday, Dec. 1

-Meet and Greet with Grand Marshal Kyle Petty, Sunset Theatre, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

-Tree Lighting ceremony, Sunset Avenue, on railroad tracks, 6 p.m., AHS Park Street Ensemble performing

-Christmas Parade, 7-9 p.m.

ARCHDALE

Saturday, Dec. 2

- Tree Lighting, 5:30 p.m., Creekside Park, during Be The Light 5K & Holiday Event from 4-8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 3

- Christmas parade, 3-5 p.m.

FRANKLINVILLE

Saturday, Dec. 2

 Christmas parade, 10:30 a.m.

LIBERTY

Saturday, Dec. 2

- Christmas Parade and Lighting Festival, 2:30-10 p.m.

RAMSEUR

Saturday, Dec. 2

- 5th Annual Christmas on Main Street, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (parade, tree lighting, more) 

RANDLEMAN

Thursday, Nov. 30

- Memory Tree Lighting, Nov. 30, Commerce Square Park, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 7

- Christmas Parade, 7-8 p.m.

SEAGROVE

Saturday, Dec. 2

- Christmas Parade, Dec. 2, 5-9 p.m.

STALEY

Saturday, Dec. 9

- Christmas Parade, Dec. 9, 2 p.m.

Christmas Downtown returns to Asheboro Dec. 8

ASHEBORO — Downtown Asheboro will come alive for an old-fashioned Christmas on Friday, Dec. 8, from 6-9 p.m. Drop-boxes will be available for canned food items being collected for CUOC and Salvation Army.

Then expect an eyeful of goings-on in a safe, cordoned off Sunset Avenue area:

— Musicians and carolers.

— Live entertainment in the Sunset Theatre.

— Live nativity scene at First Baptist Church.

—The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Elves, Santa & Mrs. Claus.

— Wagon and carriage rides through Bicentennial Park.

— Hot cider, hot chocolate & cookie stations, plus marshmallow roasting.

— Take home spruce saplings from donations by Trees NC.

RYTC performs Christmas classic this weekend

ASHEBORO — The Randolph Youth Theater Company’s production of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” will take place this weekend in the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Ave., Asheboro.

This re-imagining of the timeless tale is written and directed by Bobby Bodford.

Showings are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, at    2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and are available online at rytc.org, in person at Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth St., Asheboro, or at the door, if there are any tickets left. 

Whynot turns back the clock for Old Fashion Christmas

WHYNOT — Everyone is invited to share an Old Fashion Whynot Christmas on Fork Creek Mill Road at the Old Fairgrove Church on Sunday, Dec. 3, beginning at 6 p.m.

The event includes holiday music of Matthew Nance and his bluegrass band, Bobby Marsh, and The Striders and Lib. 

The community choir will consist of anyone that wants to make a “Joyful Noise” (music provided). Refreshments of spiced cider, coffee and Christmas cookies will be served. The church will be decorated in the spirit of Christmases Past. There is no central heat or air so dress appropriately. The pews are solid wood so bring a cushion if needed. A porta-potty will be available.

For more information, call Susan Cagle King 336-460-0262

Bantum Rooster’s Annual Rockin’ Christmas Dec. 18-19

ASHEBORO — Bantum Rooster’s Rockin’ Christmas! Holiday Concert will span two nights at the Sunset Theatre in Asheboro, on Monday, Dec. 18, and Tuesday, Dec. 19, both starting at 7 p.m.

The concerts will be full of Christmas music and fun surprises. The theatre is located at 234 Sunset Ave. in Asheboro. 

Tickets are $15 and available online at https://sunsettheatre.thundertix.com/ or at the Cultural and Recreation Services office at 241 Sunset Ave. Tickets are also available at the door while seats remain. 

Petty Garage Christmas Cruise-In: Free entry, tours

RANDLEMAN — You and your vehicle can enjoy some free holiday cheer at the Petty‘s Garage Christmas Cruise-In on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 311 Branson Mill Rd.

A cruise-in and car show is open to all makes and models of cars with no pre-registration required. Enjoy a free photo opportunity with Santa. Tours of Petty‘s Garage and Petty Museum are also free. Onsite vendors of all types will be available. (No pets allowed.)

Christmas With The Embers at Randleman Elementary

RANDLEMAN — The Embers are returning to the Randleman Elementary School auditorium for their annual Christmas with the Embers show on Monday, Dec. 4, from 7-9 p.m. The school is at 102 Swaim St.

The stage is transformed into a holiday showplace, setting the mood for holiday cheer, visitors and even snow(?). Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call (336-495-1100) or email (chamber43@northstate.net) for tickets. 

Kersey Valley’s Lights! | Action! | Christmas!

ARCHDALE — There’s so much going on at the Kersey Valley Christmas event that it all won’t fit in this space. Here’s an attempt: A winter wonderland with more than 1 million LED lights includes magical sets like the Snow Blizzard with 5-foot snowflakes falling from 45 feet in the air; other custom sets unique to Kersey Valley; a Kersey Valley Express Train Ride through a Wild West Christmas; a John Deere-pulled Christmas Wagon Ride; 200-foot Dual Super Mega Ride*n*Slide; Twin Massive Jumping Pillows; Adventure Playground; Treehouse Village; Kiddie Zip Lines; Pedal Karts; Cow Train; Bungee Trampolines; Barn Yard Twister; Round-Up Rodeo; Mr. and Mrs. Mac Jingles the singing Reindeers.

 Virtual queues are used, meaning less time waiting in line.

Through December, the park is open 5-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays. Admission is $25 for 4-over, $15 for seniors. Reserve a place at info@kerseyvalley.com.

Country Christmas Train lights up at Denton FarmPark

DENTON — The Country Christmas Train, an annual event in Denton, is also packed with lots to see and do.

It begins, of course, with its steam engine dressed up with lights for the occasion, running on its half-mile track around the property every 30 minutes.

When not on the train, visitors can shop for food and Christmas, ride on a Ferris wheel, swinging tubs and more.

There’s also a Christmas village with lights and historical artifacts and a tram ride available to get to the plantation. 

Park hours are 4:30 until after the last train ride, which usually begins at 9 p.m.

The event is open on the following days: Dec. 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 20-23, 26-27. 

Tickets are $20 for adults, $6 for children 5-11 and free for those kids 4 and under. A train ride is included per ticket.

For info, call 336-859-2755 or visit dentonfarmpark.com. The park is about a 15-minute drive west of Asheboro at 4259 Handy Road, Denton.

Linbrook Hall in Trinity offers Christmas tours 

TRINITY — For a quieter, more introspective Christmas outing, take a Holiday Tour at Linbrook Hall at the Linbrook Heritage Estate, 5297 Snyder Country Rd., Trinity.

The guided historic tour takes place at the 36,000-square-foot Linbrook Hall. All experiences will include seeing three floors immaculately decorated for Christmas, complete with more than 30 Christmas trees and thousands of Christmas lights.

Tours are available daily through Dec. 22 and resume against after Christmas from Dec. 27-Jan. 2.

Three 2-hour time slots for tours are available daily: 10 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Admission is $30 for adults, $20 for children 10 and under.

Reservations must be made in advance. Call 336-861-6959 or visit www.linbrook.org/christmas for more information or to make reservations.

Starworks’ Annual Holiday Market opens Dec. 2

STAR — Thousands of handblown glass ornaments and seasonal decorations will be on display and available at the Starworks Annual Holiday Market, which begins Saturday, Dec. 2, and runs through Dec. 23.

Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with special extended hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in December and Dec. 19-23. Online sales begin Monday, Dec. 4, at 9 a.m. via StarworksNC.org. Admission to the event is free.

The Dec. 2 event will include Higgins & Son Barbeque Food Truck onsite beginning at 10 a.m. plus singer/songwriter Pete O’Dea performing Live at the Starworks Café & Taproom from 7-9 p.m.

The Starworks Cafe & Taproom is open on Mondays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Starworks is a nonprofit organization located at 100 Russell Drive in Star.

True Grass plays ‘Country Christmas Concert’ at library

ASHEBORO —The popular and long-lived local bluegrass and gospel band True Grass will present a “Country Christmas Concert” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth St. The performance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and open to the public.

Over 20 years, the group has played numerous local venues. Founding members Tim Moon and Gary Callicutt remain with the group. Moon, a well-known music teacher for over 30 years, plays mandolin and sings lead vocals. Callicutt plays bass and sings tenor vocals.

Also, Matthew Nance plays banjo and sings baritone vocals. William Britt plays guitar and sings most lead vocals. Moon’s 16-year-old son Nolan Moon plays blistering fast solos on fiddle. 

‘White Christmas’ lined up for Thrifty Thursday movie

ASHEBORO — The upcoming Thrifty Thursday on Dec. 7 is “White Christmas.”

On the first Thursday of each month, the City of Asheboro sponsors a showing of an afternoon movie at Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro.

Admission is just $3 and that includes popcorn and a drink. Patrons 50 and over don’t even pay that; thanks to local sponsors, they can see the movie for free.

Movies each month begin at 1 p.m.

“White Christmas” stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney (George Clooney’s aunt) and Vera-Ellen.