Another busy weekend ahead, and a time to start traditions for newcomers to the Heart of Tennessee.
Christmas Tree Lighting
The lighting of the community Christmas tree will be at 6:00 o'clock tonight (Friday, 12/7/12) on the east side of the historic Rutherford County Courthouse. However, you may wish to arrive early, since some special entertainment will be featured before the tree lighting. Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess and Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg will welcome St. Nick and the Tannenbaum trio will throw the switch that sets the tree aglow. Storytellers, musical and dance groups will spread holiday cheer from the stage until 8:00 tonight. Plus, downtown restaurants and many retailers will be open for the festive event. There will be horse and carriage rides along with photos with Santa in the courthouse. What a great time to enjoy the beautiful Murfreesboro town square and feel as if you are stepping back in time and going into a Norman Rockwell Christmas card.
Christmas At Cannonsburgh
Tonight and Saturday nights bring the Annual Christmas At Cannonsburgh from 6:00 to 9:00PM each evening. This is a free service of the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department. Cannonsburgh (312 S. Front Street) is decorated as you would find a small village during Christmas in the 1800's. In fact, all of the buildings at Cannonsburgh are full-size structures that have been brought to the location from other parts of this county.
Rotary Pancake Breakfast
Another regular part of this festive season is the Murfreesboro Rotary Club's Annual Pancake Breakfast. This will be from 7:00 to 10:30AM in the cafeteria at Middle Tennessee Christian School on the corner of Memorial Boulevard and MTCS Drive, across from Reeves Sain Drugstore. Admission is $5 and that includes all of the pancakes, sausage, cinamon rolls, orange juice, milk and coffee that you care to enjoy. Plus, reports indicate that Santa will be there along with live Christmas music. Proceeds from the pancake breakfast help fund the many charities supported by the Murfreesboro Rotary Club, which is now in its ninety-third year.
Bethlehem Marketplace
Saturday and Sunday, December 8-9, 2012, from noon to 5:00PM bring an opportunity to walk the streets of Bethlehem the day after Christ's birth. Thanks to Southeast Baptist Church, 708 Minerva Drive, they have converted their Family Life Center to give the feel of actually being in the Holy City at this important time in history. Its atmosphere and surroundings are those of 2000 years ago. It features characters in historically-accurate costumes such as Roman soldiers, prisoners, tentmakers, weavers, carpenters, merchants in shops, census-takers, and more. Talk among the Marketplace characters is from that long-ago time. Live camels and other animals lend authenticity to the re-enactment, and twentieth-century items do not appear. This is a gift from Southeast Baptist to the community, and there are no fees or gifts accepted.
Bradley Academy Open House
Sunday, December 9, 2012, brings an open house from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center (415 S. Academy St.). Admission is free to the public and there will be entertainment by local school students and community youth groups. Door prizes will be given away, plus refreshments are provided and the useum is open for free tours.
Christmas Parade
And the Christmas Parade steps off at 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon, December 9, 2012, from the corner of Middle Tennessee and East Main Street. It goes down East Main, around the square, onto West Main and then ends on Walnut Street.
The weather is calling for mild temperatures with highs in the upper 60s. There is a chance for rain, but officials say the parade will not be called because of rain. The only time the parade has been cancelled was during icy wintery conditions.
Parade Coordinator Angie Walker noted that there are more entries this year with many groups making floats for the first time. Five bands will set the cadence for this happy holiday season.
American Idol's Colton Dixon will be this year's Grand Marshal for the parade. Check out his website: www.ColtonDixon.com.
The theme of this year's Christmas Parade is Jingle Bell Rock.
Again, the local Christmas Parade begins at 2:00 o'clock this coming Sunday afternoon (12/9/2012). It goes down East Main Street, starting at the intersection of Middle Tennessee Boulevard. The parade heads around the Murfreesboro square, onto West Main, and then ends on Walnut Street.
Have a great weekend, and try your best to make it to these fun events.
