By Tiffany Green

STAFF WRITER

Many holiday events are planned this time of year. There will be the annual Christmas parade, arts and crafts show, loft tour and more in the Cullman area.

Here’s a look at several major holiday events planned for the Cullman area:

Christmas Parade

The 17th Annual Cullman County Christmas Parade is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. This years grand marshall is Javon Daniel, of Cullman Caring for Kids food bank.

The parade route runs from Wallace State Community College and ends a Mills St. just past Hanceville City Hall on Hwy 31.

Arts and Crafts Show

Cullman City Park and Recreation will have their annual arts and crafts show at the civic center on Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The show will feature jewelry, hand made goods and clothing, leather goods, candles, wood work and much more.

There is no charge to get into the event. Lunch will be available. There will be chicken and dumplings, biscuits, hot-dogs, hamburgers. Karen Seybold, of the park and recreation department said a local church will be sponsoring the food.

Seybold said there will be about 70 booths.

“It’s a really good show,” Seybold said. “There are a lot of varieties and quality items.”

For more information contact the Cullman civic center at 734-9157.

Taste of Cullman

The fifth annual Taste of Cullman will have a holiday theme this year when it kicks off at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the Cullman Civic Center.

Fourteen Cullman-area restaurants will offer samples of their best food, and musical entertainment will be provided by the Connections Quartet, Harmony Four, One Voice and Nell Kirby. An ice sculpture will also be created on-location by Andy Camardella.

A live and silent auction will also take place at the event.

Tickets, which are $5, can be purchased at the Cullman United Way office or purchased at the door. All proceeds benefit the United Way agencies.

Loft Tour of Homes

The Christmas tour of homes will be on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 2-5 p.m. The tour will feature four lofts and a church sanctuary. The tour is sponsored by the Cullman Historical Society.

“We are calling it ‘Four Lofts and a Church!’,” said Dot Gudger, president of the historical society.

The tour will feature the lofts of Gene and Carol Green, Ron and Trina Pierce and Dr. and Mrs. Tom Williamson, a loft for sale above the Cullman County Chamber of Commerce, the apartment home of Steve Carter and the sanctuary of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

“We are including the church sanctuary because it was included in a book by Alice Bowsher, on architecture,” Gudger said.

Gudger said all the locations are in walking distance of each other.

“The tour could be a nice leisurely stroll,” she said.

Gudger said an art show benefiting Kenya Relief will be held under the loft of the Greens. She said those who have a ticket to the loft tour will be able to get in the art show also.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Southern Accents, the Cullman County Museum or the Community Shoppers Guide. Tickets will also be on sale the day of the tour at all locations on the tour. All proceeds go to historical societies projects.

Phone Calls

from Santa

The city parks and recreation will once again be taking names this year for children to receive a phone call from Santa. Cullman county residents can sign up their children, ages 1-12, to receive a call.

The phone calls will be made on Dec. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participants must be home at the time of the call to speak to Santa.

To sign up, call the civic center at 734-9157.

Christmas on

the Lake

Christmas on the Lake will be at 6:30 p.m., Sat. Dec. 6, at the Santa pavilion at Ryan’s Creek boating center near Big Bridge in Crane Hill at Smith Lake.

Events include a parade of boats decorated with lights, music and a chance for children to meet Santa.

Santa will arrive on a boat, instead of the traditional sleigh.

“This is a community event and everyone, young and old alike are welcomed to attend and join in the Christmas fun,” said Harold Weeks, event organizer.

The Christmas boat parade will begin one mile south of Big Bridge Marina at 6:30, and will pass the marina from 6:45 to 7 p.m., and pass under Big Bridge and continue on to the castle home on the lake. The parade and Santa will return to the marina around 7:30 and Santa will be there to meet with children.

Volunteers are welcome to decorate their boats and participate in the boat parade. For detailed information to enter the boat parade contact Harold Weeks at 287-1317 in Crane Hill.

‘The Gift’ presented at The Art Center

Community Theater of Cullman will present a Christmas Drama, “The Gift,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5; and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, at The Art Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students, ages five years and under are free.

For more information, contact The Art Center at 739-4321.

Battleground School’s Christmas on the Mountain

Christmas on the Mountain at Battleground School will begin with a turkey shoot from 7 to 11 a.m. Dec. 6. Coffee and a variety of biscuits will be available for purchase. Hams, turkeys, bacon and sausage will be available for the shoot.

The Christmas Tour of Homes will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. The tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at Battleground School or contact Wendy Mann at 747-6613. Homes on the tour are John and Julie Welborn; and Rod and Sunshine Winn, both on Blair Road; and Randy and Shawna Hinkle on County Road 1101.

All proceeds will benefit Battleground School.

Christmas Open House, a free event, will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at Battleground School: Santa Claus will make an appearance and Mrs. Claus will help children decorate cookies. Christmas caroling will be on the agenda, an Elf Shelf, where children can make ornaments, will also take place. Santa’s Workshop will be open for little ones to shop for their parents.

Breakfast with Santa

Wallace State Community College in Hanceville will provide an opportunity for children and their families to have breakfast with Santa Claus from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in the Bailey Center Lobby. Participants will receive a free 5X7 color photo with Santa as well as the opportunity to purchase additional photo packages. Breakfast, crafts and goodies are included. The cost of the event is $10 per person or $50 for a family. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 352-8172.

Alabama Ballet

The Alabama Ballet will perform The Nutcracker on Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 20-21, at the Samford Wright Center. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will accompany the ballet. For ticket and more information call 205-975-2787 or visit www.alabamaballet.org.

Check out the local briefs section daily in The Cullman Times for other upcoming holiday events in the area.

‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.