ELLERBE — Christmas activities across Richmond County continued Friday with Ellerbe’s annual Hometown Christmas.
Mayor Brenda Capel welcomed the crowd that gathered in the park for the town’s tree-lighting, which was preceded by singing from the Mineral Springs Elementary chorus and Anna Preslar and a prayer from Bishop Arlester Simpson.
Several families posed in front of the tree before making their way into the town hall to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Children had the opportunity to create ornaments and write letters to Santa, as well as tell him personally what they wanted for Christmas.
Several vendors were set up inside the fire station and food trucks outside.
Seasonal festivities continue Tuesday evening with the Dobbins Heights tree-lighting outside town hall at 6 p.m.
Hamlet will host its second annual Parade of Lights, a nighttime Christmas parade with a special appearance by Carolina Panthers mascot Sir Purr, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.
The Hamlet Business Development Association is again hosting its annual Old Fashioned Christmas event from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 on Main Street and Hamlet Avenue.
The Rockingham Downtown Christmas Festival, sponsored by the Rockingham Downtown Corp., is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15.
According to the RDC, the downtown restaurants and several businesses will remain open and there will be a “Festival Market” set up for vendors at Liberty Place.
Entertainment for the event includes the dancers from Bold Moves, carolers in front of the Manufacturers Building and the Richmond Senior High School Band at Harrington Square.
Dobbins Heights will also again be offering sleigh rides at the town park from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 22.
Rockingham Speedway this weekend cranked up its month-long “Speedway Christmas” drive-thru light show, which will run the entire month of December. The Richmond Senior High School band performed on Saturday.
See more photos from Ellerbe’s Hometown Christmas below.
