It’s beginning to feel more like Christmas in East Ridge even though the temperatures are mild and the smoke in the air is not from roasting chestnuts.
On Saturday, Nov. 19, East Ridge will usher in the season with the Christmas Parade. The parade, which features floats from various groups _ scouts, dancers, classic cars and of course, Santa, will start at Germantown Road and progress down Ringgold Road to Tombras Avenue.
Officials said Germantown Road will be closed at 4 p.m. to line up the more than 70 groups participating in the area’s first Christmas parade of the season. There will be one lane of traffic open heading north, officials said. Ringgold Road will be closed at 6 p.m. from South Seminole to Moore Road. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
If you need to get into the spirit of the season prior to the parade, consider helping out a great cause. The East Ridge Police and Fire’s Needy Child Fund is holding a Christmas Market at the Community Center on Tombras Avenue. The market (noon to 5 p.m.) will feature dozens of vendors offering Christmas crafts and various goods and services. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Needy Child Fund.
For the past several years the Christmas Market was held in conjunction with the Christmas Nights of Lights show at Camp Jordan. With that event having moved this season, the market will be at the Community Center, organizers said.
If the market and parade has just whetted your appetite for Christmas, one may consider gathering at the big tree in front of Pioneer Frontier after the Christmas Parade. Some organizers of the market are planning an informal get-together to drink a little hot chocolate and sing some Christmas carols. The idea, organizers said, is for neighbors to get together after the excitement of the parade in a little more intimate setting.
A church choir will be at the event singing Christmas carols. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand reading Christmas stories to the youngsters.
Originally, the post Christmas Parade gathering was to have featured small fires in fire pits to allow kids to roast marshmellos. Fire Chief Mike Williams said the city will abide by the region-wide burn ban in effect.
