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It is beginning to look like Christmas all around Mother Nature’s Playground. Our towns and businesses are busy preparing for an exciting Holiday Season.

The celebration begins right after Thanksgiving on Friday night, November 29, with the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Goldston’s Beach at the Grand Regal.

Friday also marks the first night of the Festival of Lights at Lu Mil Vineyard in Dublin. This year, the popular event will feature a blowup space shuttle as a tribute to Bladen County Native, Curtis L. Brown Jr, a former NASA astronaut and retired United States Air Force Colonel. Visitors can drive through the three-plus mile Light Show and then park to enjoy The Country Buffet, Old-Fashioned Candy Shop, Kiddie Land, free visits, and photos with Santa, free wine tasting & alcohol-free tasting, hot chocolate booth, Gift Shop and more. The Festival opens from 6 to 10 pm on the weekends of Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 5 – 8, and nightly from Dec. 12 – 23. Check out their website for special nights and discounts.

On Saturday, November 30, local merchants welcome you to SHOP LOCAL with special sales and promotions. To encourage your visits, the Elizabethtown -White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce holds an Elf Scavenger Hunt throughout its members in Elizabethtown, Clarkton, Bladenboro, and Dublin. Pick up a scavenger hunt card at any participating merchant and search for the EWL Elf inside the stores.

Christmas at the Farmers Market, sponsored by Cape Fear Valley Bladen Healthcare, starts its four Saturday run on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The planned events take place from 9 am -2 pm and include:

– November 30: Shop Local and Local Talent. Vendors of specialty products and crafts will be displayed while local musicians perform. Members of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce can display and sell items for free.

– December 7: Santa Paws & Claws. This event is for pet lovers. Sponsored by Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital, it will feature pet-related vendors and an opportunity to have pictures taken with Santa Paws and Mrs. Claws.

– December 14: All About the Kids. Young children and their parents will enjoy a morning of magic shows, story hours, cookie decorating, and ornament making. Held in partnership with the Bladen County Cooperative Extension office, this event is fun for all ages.

– December 21: Bladen County Marketplace. This is the perfect place to find those last-minute local gifts and discover some new locally made favorites.

Starting at 4 pm on Sunday, December 1, the Annual Elizabethtown Christmas Parade, sponsored by Sharonview Federal Credit Union, will make its way down West Broad Street to the Downtown. The parade concludes with Santa Claus arriving on the 1929 Fire Truck. The Christmas Tree Lighting on the Courthouse Square takes place immediately following the parade. Sponsored by Liberty Home Care and Hospice, the ceremony will feature a performance from the Gifted East Coast Singers and caroling by candlelight.

For a complete listing of Christmas events, see the Event Calendar on the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce website.

Friday, November 29

5 PM – The Grand Regal Tree Lighting, Goldston’s Beach.

6PM – Festival of Lights begins, Lu Mil Vineyard

Saturday, November 30

10AM – Downtown Elizabethtown Merchant Sidewalk Sales & Specials Elf Scavenger Hunt

9AM – 2PM Christmas at the Farmers Market: Shop Local.

Sunday, December 1

10AM- 2PM Breakfast with Santa. Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery

1PM – Downtown Elizabethtown -Merchant Sidewalk Sales & Specials Elf Scavenger Hunt

4PM- Elizabethtown Christmas Parade sponsored by Sharonview Federal Credit.

5 PM – Downtown Elizabethtown Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony