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WHITLEY CARPENTER
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Holiday Happenings
THE PANDEMIC HASN’T CANCELED CHRISTMAS
ByZaria Gholston news@flagpole.com
W e’ve made it to the final stretch of
what’s seemed like the longest year
ever. December in Athens usually entails a
plethora of gatherings and shopping oppor
tunities, with the Downtown Parade of
Lights as the crowning event for many. But
alas, like most big local events those festivi
ties have been canceled with the pandemic’s
health and safety precautions in mind.
Fret not, Athens! There are still plenty
of opportunities to get your yuletide fix.
Flagpole has been doing our best to track
this month’s events so that some holiday
cheer can still be had and your family’s
safety maintained. Below are a few local and
regional events on our radar:
Athens on Ice (through January): Ice skat
ing is back at the Classic Center’s Foundry
Pavilion. There will be mobile tickets, lim
ited capacity and extra sanitation measures.
Space for each session is limited, so buying
a ticket ahead of time is recommended.
Christmas with Leisure Services
(Varying dates): Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services will be presenting a vari
ety of holiday programs for families to
enjoy, like the “Deck the Hollow” event
at Memorial Park. Many of these events
require registration and a small entry fee.
For more information, visit the Leisure
Services webpage at accgov.com.
Light Up Athens (Dec. 11-12,18-19;
6-9 p.m.): Replacing the Parade of Lights,
downtown storefronts will be adorned with
decorations each night, while other event
activities include a community Christmas
tree, holiday character appearances, an
official Santa mailbox for kiddies’ wish lists,
holiday-themed music and s“elfie” spots for
pictures.
Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 12, 8:30
a.m.): Join the Classic Center for a special
breakfast event with St. Nick. Each family
will have its own reserved table for social
distancing. Little ones will drop their wish
lists in the North Pole mailbox for Santa,
and he will tell a special Christmas story.
Buddy the Elf will visit, and a professional
photographer will be available at holiday
photo stations. Children are also invited
to participate in various arts and crafts,
including this year’s Christmas coloring
contest, where the winner will receive a
special surprise. $25/adults, $20/children
under 10. (Children one year and under are
free with the purchase of an adult ticket.)
Christmas at Wire Park (Dec. 12, 5:30
p.m.): A community concert in Watkinsville
celebrating the holiday season features food
trucks, a visit from Santa Claus, a fire pit
for roasting marshmallows, and more. The
Athens A-Train Band will take the stage at
6:30 p.m. to perform a collection of beloved
holiday selections with a jazzy flair.
Christmas Songs and Stories with John
Berry (Dec. 16, 7 p.m.): Grammy-winning
country artist and former Athenian John
Berry is back for the 24th year of this spe
cial holiday concert at the Classic Center.
Safety measures include limited theater
capacity, face coverings, hand-sanitizing
stations, staggered
entry and exit
times, and touchless
operations.
Doughnuts and
Jazz (Dec. 17, 6
p.m.): Enjoy the
Christmas and
Hannukah season
at Athentic Brewing
Company with
doughnuts from
Nedza’s and a live jazz
performance.
Unsilent Night
(Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.):
Back for its 10th
year downtown, this
event will be free,
family-friendly and
socially distanced. All
that is needed to attend is a music source
like a smartphone and a speaker to amplify
the sound. Everyone will meet up and hit
“play” at Little Kings Shuffle Club to begin a
45-minute processional of holiday sounds.
Everyone is welcome, and no musical skill is
necessary.
Movies by Moonlight Drive-In Movie
Double Feature (Dec. 20): ACC Leisure
Services will host a free drive-in screening
of Elf (6 p.m.) and Christmas Vacation (8:30
p.m.) at Sandy Creek Park. The event is
free, but registration is required. Tickets
are limited to 100 vehicles and are available
through Dec. 18. ©
This information was accurate at press time but
may be subject to change. Check The Calendar at
flagpole.com for the latest. Submit your event at
flagpole.com/submit-event or email the informa
tion to calendar@flagpole.com. Happy Holidays
and stay safe, y’all!
r i3
Mary Rugg
Weaver
Scarves and Wraps
Holiday Sales
...on the porch w/masks
263 Milledge Circle
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11/21 & 11/22
11/28 & 11/29
12/05 & 12/06
12/12 & 12/13
NOON - 3PM
OR BY APPT.
FLAGPOLE
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CALL 706-549-9523
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Attorney at Law
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individuals in criminal,
juvenile, and probate matters
Tomlinson-lawfirm.com
706-200-1777
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DECEMBER 9, 2020 | FLAGPOLE.COM
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