Williamsburg Christmas Bazaar, parade set for Saturday

Williamsburg will be packed with the Christmas spirit this weekend with a Christmas bazaar Saturday morning, a Christmas parade Saturday evening and a Christmas concert Sunday afternoon.

The Fourth Annual Williamsburg Christmas Bazaar that will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Williamsburg Civic Center.

The event will feature homemade crafts, baked goods, Christmas ornaments and other items offered for sale.

There are still tables available for rent at the bazaar. There is a $10 set up fee for the first table rented and a $5 set up fee for each additional table with all proceeds from table rentals going to the Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop program.

Set up is from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday.

For more information or to reserve a table, contact the Williamsburg Civic Center at (606) 549-0530.

From 4-6 p.m. Saturday, the Whitley County Kindergarten Readiness Program will host a How the Grinch Stole Christmas Walk on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn.

“The storybook walk will feature large posters around the Whitley County Courthouse lawn that will tell the classic Dr. Seuss story. Families can walk through and read the story at whatever pace they like. Christmas lights will connect the posters to make the Whoville-theme come to life,” according to a post on the Whitley County Kindergarten Readiness Facebook page.

“We will have a picture station for pictures with the Grinch as he gives out free hardback copies of the book (while supplies last).”

The event is free and people of all ages are invited.

At 6 p.m. Saturday, the Williamsburg 2018 Feels Like Home “Christmas in a Small Town” Parade will take place along Main Street starting at the city school and concluding in front of the old courthouse.

This year there are $150 first place prizes available for best float in three categories, church, business and schools.

Second place finishers will receive a $100 prize and third place finishers will receive a $50 cash prize. In addition, the city is giving $200 to each school choir and/or band that participates in the parade.

“It is going to be the biggest and best one that we have ever had,” noted Williamsburg Main Street Manager Nannie Hays.

Parade participants won’t be allowed to throw candy from floats during the parade. Those wanting to hand out candy will have to have people walking beside their floats.

After parade festivities

After the parade Saturday, there will be free hot chocolate and apple cider at Bill Woods Park along with the singing of Christmas carols.

The town ornament exchange will take place during this time. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to bring an ornament in a brown paper bag that will be placed on a table, and then they will select an ornament that someone else has brought.

In addition, that evening at Bill Woods Park people can place a memorial ornament on the town Christmas tree in honor of a deceased friend or relative.

Harrison said that after Christmas the memorial ornaments are collected and saved to put back up on the tree the following year.

During the Saturday, post-parade festivities at Bill Woods Park, the winners of the 14th Annual Williamsburg Feels Like Home Christmas Decorating Contest will be announced. Judging will take place through Dec. 6.

To make sure that your residence or business is included call the mayor’s office at 549-6033 or the tourism office at 549-0530.

In the residential division, there will be three categories, including: traditional, modern traditional and “bling bling.” In regards to the “bling bling” category, think Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

In addition, there will be a best-decorated door award given out in the residential division and there will be an award given out for the best decorated neighborhood.

In the business division, there will be two categories, traditional and modern traditional.

Winners receive a sign for their yard or business and more importantly, bragging rights until next year.

Christmas in a Small Town

The Williamsburg Independent School Christmas in a Small Town program will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, in the school gymnasium. All school bands and choirs will entertain with performances of several Christmas classics.

This is the 22nd year for the annual Christmas concert.

A $5 chili supper will precede the concert from 12:30 – 2 p.m., and includes chili, chips, drink and dessert.

An Evening with Santa

The Whitley County Public Library will host An Evening with Santa on Thursday, Dec. 13. from 5 – 8 p.m.

Parents can bring their children to the Children’s Library during this time for a free photograph with Santa from Kevin Hays Photography.