Around Canton: upcoming holiday events

By Madison Bowden

As the holiday season approaches, Cherokee County begins its leap into the holiday spirit with many annual shows and events around the city.

Unfortunately, due to COVID – 19, many annual events have been cancelled this year. The Service League’s Reindeer Run, March of The Toys Parade, the Chamber of Commerce’s Jingle Bell Shop, the Waleska Tree Lighting and the Community Tree Lighting at the Train Depot have all been cancelled this holiday season.

Luckily, a few major annual events have not been cancelled.

Canton Marketplace

Cherokee’s Service League of Cherokee County is partnering with the Canton Optimist Club & presenting a marketplace in Downtown Canton on Saturday, December 5 from noon – sundown. The marketplace will be filled with arts and crafts vendors. Live performances from PowerTaps, Victoria Hill (Miss Georgia 2019), William Burke, and Jim Knight & Friends will begin @ 3:00pm. The Christmas parade will begin at dark. Food options will be available and masks are encouraged. For more information, visit serviceleague.net.

Holiday lights at Veteran’s Park

The Holiday Lights at Veterans Park is an annual event that will be held at Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton. It is a Christmas light drive through show with over 2 million lights for display. The event benefits Papa’s Pantry, Enduring Hearts, Skills USA, Veterans of Cherokee County and CRPA Play it Forward. This year it is held on November 21st – December 31st nightly at 6pm. Masks are encouraged. For more information, visit tribuneledgernews.com.

Holiday Lights of Hope

Come out and support the Anna Crawford Children’s Center by attending to my favorite event of the year – the Holiday Lights of Hope – a very well known walk – through Christmas light show. The event displays more than 2 million lights and concessions! At the end of your magical light show experience, you can also meet Santa or write to him and put your wishes in a letter to be delivered strait to the North Pole!

Unfortunately, due to COVID – 19, children are no longer allowed to sit on Santa’s lap. The event is held on December 3rd – December 23. It is held at Hobgood Park in Woodstock. Masks are encouraged. For more information, visit holidaylightsofhope.com. Here are some photos of my family visiting the event in 2014 & 2015.

Even with times like these, we can all share one very important message – that Christmas is about spending time with the people you love. So enjoy making the best of the holidays and support local organizations and vendors by attending event or two. We can still have the merriest of holidays.