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A&E
Smoky Mountain News
Christmas in Appalachia
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR
As the temperature drops in Western North Carolina, the fun only heats up. The holiday season here is filled with events and activities aimed to celebrate the best way we know how — with friends, family and visitors alike. Families can partake in wagon rides, craft sales and art demonstrations, all the while enjoying authentic mountain music, clogging and parades through several downtowns. These are just some of the innumerable activities to be had. Within every date, time and place found amid this section, the communities around the region once again open their arms to share in the winter festivities. It’s a winter wonderland out there. It’s yours for the taking — so reach out and enjoy all Southern Appalachia has to offer.
Dillsboro’s ‘Lights & Luminaries’ The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3-4 and 10-11 in the streets of downtown Dillsboro Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Over 2,500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Each night, shops will stay open way into the night providing free refreshments, musicians and singers performing in individual
Sylva Christmas Parade. (photo: Nick Breedlove)
Holidays hit Sylva The Main Street Sylva Association (MSSA) will be hosting holiday festivities this year in its picturesque downtown. The Jackson County Arts market will be running from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the holidays. The official holiday festivities will kick off with the Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, with special music from the
shops. The sound of hooves will echo through the night with old-fashioned horse and buggy rides (tips much appreciated). Children can share their wishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Workshop in Dillsboro’s Town Hall. With retail shops offering a variety of quality arts and crafts, unique gifts, clothing, gourmet foods and wine, and specialty Christmas items, the festival also provides a unique holiday shopping experience. Entertainment the first weekend includes Twelfth Fret (Americana) from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and singer-songwriter Anna Victoria from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.
kids of Wonderworks Learning and Arts Center. Families can also take selfies with the Christmas Bear beside the tree. The Sylva Christmas Parade will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. This year’s theme is “Downhome Christmas,” and the Grand Marshals are “Frontline Healthcare Workers.” Anyone interested in participating can access the parade application and information at townofsylva.org. The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Jackson County Parks & Recreation will host a Holiday Fireworks Display at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, which will be visible from downtown Sylva. Folks can arrive early to hear a live concert on the porch of the Jackson County Chamber and Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. The Main Street Sylva Association is a nonprofit with the mission to spur economic development in the town of Sylva. For more information, go to mainstreetsylva.org or contact Main Street Economic Development Director Bernadette Peters at mainstreet@townofsylva.org or 828.586.2719.
‘A Christmas Carol’ The Calliope Stage Company and Destination Theatre will present Tony Brown’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. Dec. 9-11, 3 p.m. Dec. 11 and 2
For the second weekend, award-winning dulcimer player Mathew Dickerson will perform Dec. 10-11. Free parking and shuttle transportation will be available at Monteith Park each night of the festival. Sing along with carolers. Take the children to see Santa Claus at Dillsboro’s Town Hall. Have some hot chocolate or hot cider. All the restaurants will be open late. For more information, call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 800.962.1911 or click on mountainlovers.com. To learn more about new happenings, go to facebook.com/dillsboronc.
p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at 567 Mill Street in Sylva. “A Christmas Carol” is a co-production between Calliope Stage Company in Sylva and Destination Theatre out of Atlanta, Georgia. Adapted for the stage by Atlanta-based writer Tony Brown, the production will feature two performers with additional devising by Cory Phelps, Ashlee Wasmund and Dustin Whitehead. This intimate holiday experience will tour to Sylva, St. Petersburg, Florida, and Columbia, South Carolina, as part of a limited three-city tour in December. The collaborative project is one that is meant to spark Christmas cheer, while blurring the barriers between audience and actors and is sure to be an unforgettable festive experience for all ages. Calliope Stage Company is a professional nonprofit theater company established in Jackson County in January 2021. This is their third public production since founding and second partnership with Destination Theatre, a nonprofit professional touring children’s theatre company, also established in 2021. The Sylva performances will feature festive treat bundles from White Moon and Jame that include a treat and hot beverage. Only 40 tickets per performance are scheduled, with limited VIP seating available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit calliopestage.com.
