Countdown to Christmas

By By Staff
Nov. 26-Jan. 2
Drive-through nights for the Huntsville Botanical Garden Galaxy of Lights will be Nov. 26-Jan. 2 from 5:30-9 p.m. Admission is $15 per car with a $1 discount for donation of a coat, canned food, paper products, children’s book, pet food or Toys for Tots donation.
Nov. 28
The North Alabama Railroad Museum will host Santa Train Nov. 28. The train is decorated for Christmas and Santa Claus is on board to visit with the children with a gift for all those 10 and younger. The train will also run Dec. 5, 6 and 12. Seating is limited; cost is $12 per person. Call 851-6278 on Wednesday or Saturday mornings for information.
Dec. 3
Hartselle’s Kiwanis Club presents the annual Christmas Parade Dec. 3. Judging will begin at 5:15 p.m. at the football stadium parking lot and lineup at 6 p.m. The parade will start at 7 p.m. and will go from the stadium to Railroad Street to Main Street to Corsbie Street. Entry fee is $15 for non-profit groups, $30 for political groups or businesses. Checks should be made payable to Hartselle Kiwanis Club. Call 751-4912 for information.
Decatur’s historic Princess Theatre presents the holiday classic film “A Christmas Story” on the big screen Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
The 1983 PG-comedy film has become one of the most popular Christmas movie classics. General admission tickets are available in advance at the Princess Theatre box office at 340-1778.
Dec. 4
The annual Boat Parade of Lights will take to the waterway, illuminating Decatur’s Wheeler Lake, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.
Sponsored by the Riverwalk Yacht Club, the free celebration features boats of all types and sizes decorated for the holiday season with lights, holiday themes and other festive trimmings.
The boat parade will take its usual route, making a circle from the entrance of Riverwalk Marina located on Highway 20, west to the Railroad Bridge, east in front of Rhodes Ferry Park and then back into the Marina. The best viewing will be at Rhodes Ferry Park, the Hard Dock Cafe or the Marina entrance.
Riverwalk Marina and the Riverwalk Yacht Club invite parade watchers to bring a canned food item to the marina or park, which will be distributed to a local food bank.
Anyone interested in participating in the parade, contact Larry Fincher at 565-5583 by Nov. 25.
Dec. 5
Breakfast with Santa – Santa will be at the Civic Center Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. He will share a story as breakfast is being served. After breakfast, young visitors will have a chance to share their wishes with Santa and have their picture made. Cost is $7 per child ages 10 and younger. Fee is due by Dec. 2 and the event is limited to 50 people.
Dec. 6
Dec. 11
Surprise your child with a visit from Santa himself. He will be visiting children in the Hartselle area two weeks prior to Christmas. To schedule a visit, stop by the Civic Center by Dec. 11 to register. Santa will bring a memento to your house to remember the visit. Space is limited so register early. Fee is $20 per child, each additional child per household is $5.
Dec. 12
Homes in historic Decatur will open for the annual Tour of Homes Dec. 12 from 3-8 p.m. Carriage rides, neighborhood church concerts and historical presentations will be offered during the day. Tickets are $15 each and are available at the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sam Frank and Moore, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, Jimmy Smith Jewelers and the Princess Theatre. On the day of the tour, tickets can be purchased at the Old State Bank and St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Dec. 18
The Backstage Theatre Company will present the musical “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. with special school performances Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. If your school is interested call 309-0041. Tickets are $11 for adults, students, children and seniors. Tickets are available by calling 309-0041.
Dec. 20
Celebrate the holiday season with a candy cane hunt. Bring a basket or a sack for your candy and come to Sparkman Park Pavilion Four Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Children will hunt by age group (ages 3 and under, 4-5 and 6-8) and a special guest will appear. Prizes will be given to those who find the specially marked candy canes. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. No cost to register, but registration is required by Dec. 16.