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Blowing Rock Kicks Off the Holiday Season with Blowing Rock Christmas in the Park and Parade Nov. 28-29

By Madison Fisler Lewis

Nov. 26, 2014. In what has come to be one of the defining events of the High Country holiday season, Blowing Rock’s Christmas in the Park and Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, respectively, with activities throughout the day for the entire family to enjoy.

11-23-12-012smThe annual Christmas in the Park and Lighting of the Town will take place, as always, in Downtown Blowing Rock. The festivities will begin in Memorial Park off of Main Street with a visit from the one and only Santa Claus from 2-4 p.m. at the gazebo.

At the same time, hayrides will be offered in the park from 2-7 p.m., while bounce houses will be open for the little ones to play on until 5:30 p.m.

To add some music to the occasion, Caroling in the Park will be featured by the Watauga County Band. The music will start up at 3 p.m. and will keep going until 4:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., the day’s main event will take place as the whole town participates in the annual Blowing Rock Lighting of the Town. All of the streets in downtown Blowing Rock will shimmer and sparkle with glittering lights, setting the stage for one of the most beautiful holiday scenes in the High Country.

Following the annual Lighting of the Town, Diana and Sarvis Ridge will perform Bluegrass Christmas tunes from 5-7 p.m. And if you get a little bit chilly, don’t worry. Complimentary hot chocolate and apple cider is available for everyone in attendance.

But the festivities don’t end there. Don’t forget to catch some sleep so you can be awake and refreshed for the Blowing Rock Christmas Parade the next day!

On Saturday, Nov. 29, Blowing Rock will host the annual Blowing Rock Christmas Parade down Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock. Lining up at noon, the parade will begin at 2 p.m. proceeding down Main Street in the center of downtown.

The parade will feature an array of local faces, cars, dancers, cloggers, musicians and much more. Only registered participants are permitted to take part in the parade, but spectators will begin lining the streets early to get the best spot to see the fantastic annual tradition. Be sure to grab the family and experience this spectacular way to bring in the holiday season.

“Thousands of people come out to watch the parade every year, it is just packed,” said Jennifer Brown, director of Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation.

“This is something that all families enjoy coming to, locals and visitors. This is a huge weekend for everybody. A lot of people like to come and make it a long weekend, they will come for the festival on Friday, come to the parade on Saturday and then go get Christmas trees with their families. It is a great way to kick off the season.”

Parking is open on Main Street and in either of the two parking decks in Blowing Rock, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place to park your car while you enjoy the festivities.

So pack up the family, head on into downtown Blowing Rock and have a holiday evening to remember.