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The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is extending the deadline to register for the 2022 Christmas Parade until Tuesday, November 22 .
The theme for this year’s parade is “Christmas Past, Present and Future”. Businesses, organizations and individuals have been challenged to create floats that interpret that theme for the Best of Float Contest.
The Parade will start at 4pm on Sunday, November 27 at the Elizabethtown Town Hall and travel east on Broad Street, then makes a right turn onto Poplar St (Rt. 701S), ending at Swanzy Street. A grandstand and performance area will be set up in front of Leinwands on West Broad Street.
Santa will be at the end of the Parade where he will be escorted to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Courthouse around 5pm.
Copies of the entry form are available on the Chamber’s website (www.elizabethtownwhitelake.com), at the Chamber’s office( 207 E Broad St.) or at Elizabethtown Hall.
CHRISTMAS AT THE FARMERS MARKET
This year, as part of the “Bladen County Christmas – 30 Days of Celebration”, the Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is promoting activities at the Cape Fear Farmer Market on all four Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
The schedule includes:
Saturday, December 3, 2022 – ALL ABOUT THE KIDS
-9am: Karate demonstrations
-10am: Grinch Story hour
-11am: Gingerbread Chopped Contest
-12 noon: Winners announced
-12pm – 1pm: Christmas Cookie Decorating
-12 noon – 2pm: Magician
-1pm-2pm: Ornament Making
Saturday, December 10, 2022 – SANTA PAWS & CLAWS
-9AM – 2PM: Santa Claus available for picture with pets
-Mini-adoption – Shelter Pets
-Pet micro-chipping
-Complimentary nail trimmings from Barking Lot
-Other vendors
-11AM – 12PM: Registration for Ugly Sweater Pet Costume Look-Alike Contest
-12PM: Winner Announced Pet Costume Contest ($10 Barefoot Brew Gift Certificate)
Saturday, December 17, 2022 – FOODIES CHRISTMAS
-9am – 2pm: Cooking Demonstration
-How to make a local gift basket
-Locally made Holiday drinks
-Local food related vendors
-Cake & Pie Contest
-9am – 10am: Drop off entrees
-12pm: Judging
The Chamber is looking for local talent and performers who would like volunteer to be part of the entertainment on any of the Saturdays. Anyone interested in performing should contact the Chamber office at 910-862-4368.
Vendors interested in participating should register with the Chamber to display from 9AM until 2PM. Tables will be on a first come, first served basis except for regular vendors who will have their reserved spots. Vendors can find the registration form at the Chamber’s website or register under each event on the Chamber’s calendar of events.
For more information, see the Chamber’s website at www.elizabethtownwhitelake.com.
ELF SCAVENGER HUNT RETURNS
The Elf Scavenger Hunt is returning this year to encourage people to shop locally during this holiday season.
As a part of the Bladen County Christmas, the Elizabethtown – White Lake Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Elf Scavenger Hunt involving local merchants. Those who participate will visit local merchants to locate the E-WL Elf and get their card punched by employees. This scavenger hunt will be a 3 week event, lasting from November 26th until December 18th.
Starting November 27, visitors can download and print or pick up the Elf Scavenger Hunt Card at area merchants, the Chamber Office at 207 East Broad Street in Elizabethtown or on Saturdays at the Cape Fear Farmers Market.
Once a card has been punched at least 10 times, it should be returned to be entered into a raffle contest. Cards can be given to the last merchant visited. All cards that participants wish to be entered into the contest must be returned by December 19th. The lucky winner will receive a giant stocking filled with items donated by local merchants.
The merchants participating in the contest include: (Merchants are in Elizabethtown unless otherwise noted)
–Amy’s Boutique
–Barefoot Brew
-Barefoot Sandwich Shop
–Bladen Builders Supply
–Burney’s Sweets & More
-Faith Partners Christian Supply
–Leinwand’s
–Lu Mil Vineyard, Dublin
-Main on Market, Bladenboro
-Mermaid Castle
-People’s Emporium
–Ray’s Furniture
-Shena’s Uniforms & Boutique
-The Wake Shop, White Lake
–Toddler’s & Teens Boutique
-Traxx Vintiques, Clarkton
–Whimsical Florist & Gifts
–Yia Yia’s Gifts & More
THIRD ANNUAL LIGHTING OF THE LAKE KICKS OFF WITH EVENTS AT
WHITE LAKE
Both Camp Clearwater and Godlston’s Beach will host events on Saturday, December 3 as a celebration for the kick-off of the 3 rd Annual Lighting of the Lake Holiday Dock Decorating Contest.
The Grand Regal is hosting a Saturday with Santa at the Arcade starting at 3pm, smores and crafts.
Camp Clearwater will host a Christmas Tree Lighting at 6pm which includes Santa, food vendors, crafts and a performance by Sweet Potato Pie band.
Lighting of the Lake was started in 2020 as a way to attract people to visit White Lake during the holiday season. Docks and Pier. “We are hoping to see a lot more docks registered this year,” Chamber Executive Director, Terri Dennison said. “Decorations must be up by December 3 and people can vote on their favorites until Sunday, December 18.”
Dennison added that the Lighting of the Lake is a great companion to the already popular the “Bladen County Christmas – 30 Days of Celebrations”.
The contest is open to all residents, neighborhoods and businesses around White Lake. Rules for the contest are:
•Participants must register before Wednesday, November 30. Registrations are available on the Chamber’s website (www.elizabethtownwhitelake.com) or at the White Lake Town Hall. Registration forms can be dropped off at the White Lake Town Hall’s drive thru and nightly deposit.
•Lights should be on a timer set for 6-10pm daily.
•Lights should be up by Saturday, December 4 and stay up until at least Dec. 24.
There are four viewing points: White Lake Marine, Goldston’s Pier, Camp Clearwater, and Timberlodge Pier. Signs will direct visitors to the viewpoints.
Visitor’s will have a chance to vote on their favorite on-line at the Chamber’s website until Sunday, Dec. 18. First, second and third place will be awarded in the Business and Residential category. One overall winner will be named in the Community Pier category Winners will be announced the week of Dec. 21
Tree Decorating Contest Reservations Now Being Taken for Christmas at the
Farmers Market
The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Cape Fear Valley Health are sponsoring a Christmas Tree Decorating Contest as part of Christmas at the Farmers Market. Individual, families, and organizations are encouraged to reserve and decorate a live Christmas Tree by November 26.
The theme of this year’s contest is “Christmas Past, Present & Future”. Participants are encouraged to decorate their tree based on the theme. There is a limit of 10 trees. Sponsorship and reservation of a tree is $20, which will benefit the Empty Stocking Fund. Trees can be decorated between Tuesday, November 8 and Friday, November 25.
Starting with the Shop Local weekend after Thanksgiving, visitors to the Farmers Marketwill be able to vote on their favorite tree for $1, which will also go to the Empty Stocking Fund. Visitors will be able to vote during every Saturday of the Christmas at the Farmers Market Celebration. At 1:30pm on Saturday, December 17, the votes will be counted and the first, second and third place prizes will be announced at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The idea is to bring a sense of hope to everyone this holiday season,” Chamber Executive Director Terri Dennison said. Christmas at the Farmer’s Market is part of the overall “Bladen County Christmas – 30 Days of Celebration”.
Pre-reservation of tree is required. The trees will be inside the building. The trees will be pre-lit.
Reservation forms are available at the Chamber website – http://www.elizabethtownwhitelake.com/christmas. Interested people or organizations can call the Chamber at 910-862-4368 or stop by the office at 207 E. Broad St, Elizabethtown.
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