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Thousands of candles to shine in Dillsboro
By Carey King
More than 2,500 candles will cast a soft white glow up and down Dillsboro's streets this weekend during the town's 21st annual Luminaire.
Starting at dusk this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4, Dillsboro's "merchant elves" will set thousands of luminary bags on their sidewalks, then offer holiday treats to visitors while a variety of entertainers perform around town.
Dillsboro is decked out in red and green, awaiting the more than 2,500 candles that will line its streets this weekend during the town's 21st annual Luminaire. Merchants will offer treats to visitors and a variety of entertainers will perform. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4. – Herald photo by Carey King
The Dillsboro Merchants Association sponsors the annual Christmas event, which will be repeated the following Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10 and 11.
"Up every holler there's a family that plays bluegrass or gospel," said Karen Barnes, owner of Riverwood Pottery and entertainment coordinator for the event. "There's so many talented people and it's fun to get them together with audiences."
In the midst of firing up her kiln to finish pottery and her oven to bake cookies for Luminaire visitors, Barnes has been busy fielding phone calls from potential Luminaire performers. Once the December event is finished, she hopes to keep those musical connections strong, as Dillsboro recently got a grant from the Jackson County Arts Council to stage similar shows next summer.
"There's just so many neat groups here," said Barnes, noting that Luminaire events will kick off earlier in the day this year than in festivals past. Husband-and-wife harmonica duo Wooden Wind are set to play from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Treehouse Pottery, she said.
The entertainment schedule for the rest of the weekend follows below. At Herald press time, performance times for two Friday groups had yet to be set. They include Alice Mason and David Brewin, who will play Celtic and Christmas music on violin and guitar at the Golden Carp, and the Cullowhee Valley Elementary School Cloggers, who will dance on the platform at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot.
Dillsboro gardener Frank Gammons prepares these light-up carolers for the town's 21st annual Luminaire, set for 5 to 9 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4. – Herald photo by Carey King
Friday, Dec. 3
5:15 p.m – Highland Pipes and Drums at Riverwood Shops.
5:30 p.m. – Highland Pipes and Drums march to Enloe Marketplace.
5:45 p.m. – Highland Pipes and Drums at Enloe Marketplace.
6 p.m. – Fairview Elementary School Chorus at Front Street Co.; Highlands Pipes and Drums march to the Jarrett House.
6 to 9 p.m. – Bill Hambrick & Malarky, Celtic music, at The Christmas Shop; Andy LaTorre, glockenspiel, at Dogwood Crafters.
6:30 p.m. – Cullowhee Valley Elementary School Third-Grade Chorus at Dillsboro Chocolate Factory.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Sugar & Friends featuring Steve Dennison, jazz, at Riverwood Shops.
6:45 p.m. – Shining Lights, the children's choir from Scotts Creek Baptist Church, at Front Street Co.
7 p.m. – Scotts Creek Baptist Church adult choir at Front Street Co.; Wooden Wind at Lighten Up.
7 to 9 p.m. – Ray Knowles and Family at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church.
Saturday, Dec. 4
6 to 8 p.m. – Bound by Grace, a female singing group, at Bradley General Store.
6 to 8:30 p.m. – Sugar & Friends featuring Marshall Ballew, jazz, at Riverwood Shops.
6 to 9 p.m. – Bill Hambrick & Malarky at The Christmas Shop.
7 p.m. – Carolina Consort, recorder ensemble, at the Jarrett House; Wooden Wind at Lighten Up.
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