BY DEBBIE PAGE
Hundreds of people gathered at ESC Park on Thursday night to launch the holiday season with the Town of Troutman’s annual Christmas tree lighting celebration.
Mayor Teross Young welcomed the crowd, thanked Town Council members for their support and praised town staff for its efforts to make the event and the town’s decorations along the greenway possible for the community’s enjoyment.
Young also thanked the Ruritan Club of Troutman for serving the hot cocoa, Troutman Baking Company for providing the cookies, and the Exchange Club for assisting with traffic control and parking.
Young expressed his hope that the tree lighting would be the beginning of a joyous holiday season for all in the community.
Town Manager Ron Wyatt thanked the young people who provided the entertainment and inspiring holiday cheer. He also thanked the staff for the three weeks of hard work to light up the holidays for residents’ enjoyment.
Wyatt led the countdown to light up the tree to the cheers of the crowd, and parents and kids then quickly lined up to see the evening’s most honored guests, Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with his head elf Reid.
Troutman Elementary and Iredell Charter Academy students provided festive music and song for the event, along with the Flintridge Band’s bluegrass holiday tunes.
Upcoming Holiday Events
HOLIDAY TOY SWAP
Community members are invited to bring in any unwanted, clean, like-new, gently used toys with no missing parts to Town Hall by Wednesday, December 6, to be eligible for the Holiday Toy Swap on Saturday, December 9, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The event will allow participating community members to “shop” for “new to them” items.
The toy swap works like this. Each donated toy will be given a ticket value. Each person will then be allotted 5 tickets to “shop” for free with when they arrive on December 9.
Participants can place their donated items in a bin in the main lobby. All toys will be sanitized and cleaned by volunteers before shopping day. Please do not donate car seats, electrical items, baby slings, or baby formula.
Contact brittneyclark1024@gmail.com or Troutman Parks and Recreation at 704-528-7600 (Ext. 3) with questions.
ROTARY PANCAKE BREAKFAST DECEMBER 2
The annual pre-parade Rotary Club of Troutman Pancake Breakfast with Santa is at a new location this year, the South Iredell High School cafeteria, on Saturday, December 2, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The all-you-can-eat breakfast features pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 – 12, and free for children 5 and under.
Entertainment will be provided by the South Iredell High School chorus and orchestra.
Proceeds from the event will go to the South Yadkin Baptist Association “Toy Store for Jesus” and other children within the community.
TROUTMAN CHRISTMAS PARADE DECEMBER 2
The annual Troutman Christmas Parade will be RAIN OR SHINE on Saturday, December 2, at 11 a.m. along Eastway Drive. The parade begins at the Career Academy School (350 Old Murdock Rd), travels Old Murdock Road, turns left onto Eastway Drive, and ends at Troutman Baptist Church.
Parade attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to place on the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots truck at the end of the parade or drop them by Town Hall during normal business hours prior to parade day.
SOUTH IREDELL HIGH CRAFT BAZAAR DECEMBER 2
The South Iredell Holiday Bazaar Craft Show will be on Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community can support local vendors who will be selling the perfect gifts for this holiday season before or after the parade.
DRIVE THRU LIVE NATIVITY DECEMBER 7-9
The community is invited to get into the true meaning of Christmas at the annual Troutman Drive-Thru Nativity.
This free event takes place at the Iredell County Fairgrounds (630 North Main Street) each night from Thursday, December 7, through Saturday, December 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. (weather permitting).
Attendees will drive through 26 scenes from the life of Christ along the fairgrounds track, experiencing the sights and sounds of Bethlehem with 150 cast members and live animals.
JINGLE RUN 5K DECEMBER 10
The Jingle Run 5k/Walk is a festive, family-friendly run that will take place on Sunday, December 10, at 3 p.m. through the Town of Troutman, starting at Troutman Town Hall (400 N. Eastway Drive)
Participants are asked to dress up in their most creative, colorful holiday outfits to bring out the fun on the holiday season.
This race will be officially timed race by McLelland Racing Team (MRT). Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Troutman/JingleRunorWalk or in person at Town Hall.
The cost is $20 per person, which includes a finishers’ medal and T-shirt. Register by November 30 to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
There is an optional early packet pickup on Friday, December 8, from 12 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
The event is stroller friendly, but please use caution.
The town asks that participants consider donating a new toy or personal care item on race day for My Sister’s House to support its holiday season needs.
♦ My Sister’s House Christmas Wishlist: Pajamas (all sizes for women and children), women’s slippers, robes, scarves, mittens, toboggans, blankets, throws, and new unwrapped toys for all ages.
♦ My Sister’s House Ongoing Needs: Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues), cleaning supplies, OTC cold and flu medication, shampoo & conditioner sets, bottled water, juice boxes, soda, dark-colored towels, washcloths, and dish towels.
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