Mount Olive announces its holiday happenings
By From staff reports
Published in News on November 12, 2014 1:46 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the town, will greet the Christmas season during the weekend of Dec. 5-6 with its annual holiday open house and parade.
All of the events are free and open to the public.
On Dec. 5, an open house will be held in downtown Mount Olive from 6 until 8 p.m. Visitors will gather at the town hall to observe performances by Free Spirit from the University of Mount Olive and dancers from Mrs. Robin's Academy of Dance.
Chamber President Julie Beck and Mayor Ray McDonald Sr. will then welcome the crowd and extend holiday greetings before McDonald flips the switch to light up the radio tower.
Children will have an opportunity to paint the baseboard around the tower and add their own version of Christmas cheer.
Those who attend the open house are encouraged to bring items to donate to the All the Kings Children's Foundation and to help fill three 4-foot-long Christmas stockings.
The chamber has partnered with non-profit All the Kings Children to collect pajamas, sock's, underwear, undershirts, and other items. All sizes, including adult sizes, are needed.
"As the children are sharing their wish list with Santa Claus about what they want under the Christmas tree and in their Christmas stockings, I hope families will think about those children in our community who have basic needs," Kings Children founder Marcia Whitley said. "This is a great opportunity for families to help them and together, they can fill up the Christmas stockings with goodies and know that they have made a difference."
The crowd will then follow the luminary trail to Center Street, where Santa Claus will make an appearance.
Children can write letters to and visit with Santa.
Refreshments will be available, hay rides will be offered and the downtown merchants will be open for shopping. In addition, the David John Aaron Historical Museum will be open, and activities will be offered there as well.
Children ages 12 and under who attend the open house can register for a chance to be chosen as the junior grand marshal.
The winner will be chosen at 7:30 p.m. and will ride with Santa Claus in his horse and carriage in the parade on Saturday.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Chamber will hold a pancake breakfast at Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes and Fries from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. The cost is $6 per person and tickets are available from any Chamber board member or the Chamber office.
All funds raised will go toward Chamber projects.
The Mount Olive Christmas Parade, with a theme of "Around the World," will start at 10 a.m.
Once again, the Mount Olive Jaycees will assist with the parade. The parade line-up begins at 9 a.m. on Henderson Street near Piggly Wiggly.
During the parade line-up, Henderson Street from Breazeale Avenue to N.C. 55 becomes a one-way street for safety reasons.
Parade entry forms are available at the Chamber office. The deadline to sign up to participate, without paying a late fee, is Monday, Nov. 24.
The parade will be led by the Mount Olive Police Department, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, elected officials and the grand marshal.
The grand marshal, nominated by citizens of Mount Olive and the surrounding communities, will be announced this month.
There will also be commercial floats, sponsored by Mt. Olive Pickle Co., Best Used Cars, Southern Bank & Trust Co., and the University of Mount Olive, along with homemade floats.
Prizes will be given to the top three homemade floats. First place earns $100, second place, $75 and third place,$50.
The Chamber will also judge and recognize one fire department.
Santa Claus, along with the junior grand marshal, will arrive via horse and carriage, provided and driven by Danny Jackson, will conclude the parade.