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Dillsboro shops to usher in holidays with candles, music
By Justin Goble
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s once again time for Dillsboro to shine.
The town’s 23rd annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries is set for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9. The two-weekend event is one of several festivals sponsored each year by the Dillsboro Merchants Association. The merchants consider the annual luminaire to be their open house, and most shops offer extended hours and holiday refreshments.
The village streets will be lined with 2,500 luminaries (candle-filled white paper bags), and adorned with holiday decorations.
Though lights and shopping will be plenty to draw a crowd, town merchants have a variety of attractions planned. Santa Claus will set up shop in town hall at the corner of Front and Depot streets to take Christmas present requests and pose for pictures with area youngsters.
Riverwood Shops, located on the hill overlooking town, will offer a Yule log where visitors can warm themselves and toast a marshmallow or hot dog.
In addition to shoppers and light-gazers, the streets will be filled with song from roaming and stationary musicians.
David Gates, owner of Bradley’s General Store, is coordinating this year’s festivities. He said people can expect the same holiday cheer that has made the Luminaries festival a popular and long-standing tradition.
“This is the first town in the area to do something like this, and that makes it special” Gates said. “It gets everybody in the Christmas spirit, and there’s really no place prettier once we have it lit up.”
This weekend’s schedule includes:
Friday Dec. 1
– 5:30 p.m.: Highland Pipes and Drums, starting at Riverwood shops and marching through town to Front Street Co., then to the Jarrett House.
– 6 to 9 p.m.: Henry Wong will perform at Bradley’s and Chuck Norris and Evergreen will appear in the fellowship hall of Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church.
– 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Andy LaTorre will play his glockenspiel at Dogwood Crafters; Sugar and Friends featuring Karen Barnes, Steve Dennison and Randy Lanier, will perform at Riverwood Pottery; and the Pic and Play Dulcimers will appear at Oaks Gallery in Riverwood Shops.
– TBA: Cullowhee Valley School third-grade chorus at Dillsboro Chocolate Factory.
– 7 p.m.: East Sylva Baptist Church Choir will sing at Front Street Co.
– 7:30 p.m.: Beth Johnson will perform at Golden Carp.
Saturday Dec. 2
– 6 p.m.: Western Carolina University horn choir will perform at the Riverwood Yule fire.
– 6 to 9 p.m.: Mountain Faith will appear at Bradley’s General Store; Chuck Norris and Evergreen will perform in the Jarrett Memorial fellowship hall.
– 6:30 p.m.: Alice Mason will be at the Golden Carp.
– 7 p.m.: Carolina Consort will perform at West Carolina Internet Cafe; Ron Smith will appear at Dogwood Crafters; and the Smoky Mountain High School Show Choir will be at the Cheddar Box.
– TBA: Bryson City Brass at Dillsboro Chocolate Factory.
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