Rutherford Weekly

The Town of Forest City never shines brighter than it does during the Christmas season. The Town's annual hometown holidays will kick-off again on Thanksgiving night at 6 during the lighting of the Christmas lights. This year the lights will be turned on by Mayor Steve Holland and Amy Warlick, who is battling breast cancer. Following the lighting, the 2016 Facebook Community Grants will be presented and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce raffle drawing held. Open house at Santa house with complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will follow. Christmas lights have been a staple on Main Street for almost 80 years, said Amy Bridges, downtown community development manager. "Our archives go back to December 1928, and there is a news article that talks about the lights being strung then," she said. This year marks the 25th for carriage rides, Bridges said. Carriage and hayrides continue to be popular for attendees, and there is usually at least one marriage proposal during the season. "We have a lot of people who come from Tennessee to visit," she said. "We've found that more local people come out on Friday and those from out of town on Saturday." One group from Tennessee always comes on the first weekend, she said, bringing a large group. "It's tradition for many people to come and see the lights," she said. "We know it is a tradition that will continue for generations to come." Christmas festivities will be held each weekend beginning Dec. 2. Events are as follow: Friday nights - Santa's House from 6 to 8:30pm. - Hayrides from 6 to 9pm. - Ice skating from 6pm until Saturday nights - Santa's House from 5 to 8:30pm. - Carriage rides from 6 to 8:30pm. - Ice skating from 5pm until Sundays - Santa Paws Pet Pictures from 2 to 6pm. Christmas in Forest City wraps up on December 18. For more information, visit townofforestcity.com. OUR 24 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 47 • November 23, 2016 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE Mon-Sat 11am-6pm 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 828-229-3123 ©Community First Media Community First Media Made in America glass Local artwork & more Vaping Supplies Vaping Supplies Skateboards Skateboards HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm Sat 8:00am - 3:00pm Follow Follow Us On Us On NORRIS NORRIS MERCHANDISE MERCHANDISE 2011 S. Lafayette St. (Hwy. 18 S) SHELBY, NC www.norrismerchandise.com 704-482-8464 ALL THE BEST BRANDS TO MAKE ALL THE BEST BRANDS TO MAKE THE HOLIDAYS MERRY AND BRIGHT. THE HOLIDAYS MERRY AND BRIGHT. Black Friday Specials Throughout the Store! OUR THANKSGIVING EDITION! OUR THANKSGIVING EDITION! Chase band hopes to be Washington bound in 2017 The Chase High School Marching Band is waiting to hear if it will be taking part in the performance of a lifetime: for the newly elected president in 2017. The band has applied to take part in the inaugural parade, which will be held Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. The parade is coordinated by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which includes members from all branches of the armed forces. Representatives from all 50 states will follow the President and Vice President from the Capitol down the 1.5 mile route on Pennsylvania Avenue. "The application process is strenuous," said Michael Henderson, director or the Chase High Band. "We had to submit a narrative, several group photos and a video of a performance. We also had to have letters of recommendation from representatives and officials. We have letters from Gov. Pat McCrory, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, Senator Thom Tillis, Representative Patrick McHenry and former lieutenant governor Walter Dalton." Applications are due at the end of November, he continued, and selections will be made about six weeks following the election. Members of the band and the band boosters have been holding various fundraisers to pay for the trip, including a breakfast with Santa that is coming up on Dec. 3 (see sidebar.) Should the band not be selected to take part in the inaugural parade, another similar trip will be taken instead, Henderson said. "We're planning a trip we hope to take and a trip we might take," he said. "Each member had to raise $600 and the boosters agreed to raise the remaining money needed." The official parade route is 1.5 miles, but counting the set up to the start, band members will march closer to 2.5 miles. "The Forest City Christmas parade is seven-tenths of a mile," Henderson said. "We'll be practicing over Christmas vacation to stay in shape between now and then." The band plans to perform "America the Beautiful," "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Members will have an opportunity to sight-see while in the area as well. "We will visit the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space and Natural History, see the Lincoln and Vietnam memorials, visit Arlington Cemetery and tour the U.S. Capitol Building," Henderson said. "We will probably go to Ford Theater as well. And, we'll have a dinner and dance cruise on the Potomac." But the highlight will be the parade. "I don't think there's any other group that will allow them to potentially perform for the President of the United States," he said. The majority of the parade route will be free and open to the public, and viewing spots will be on a first come, first serve basis. Articles By: Allison Flynn, Rutherford Weekly Articles By: Allison Flynn, Rutherford Weekly LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL BUY The annual lighting of the Christmas lights is held on Thanksgiving night in Forest City. New lights have been added each year, but the traditional colors of red, white and green still hang overhead. Annual Christmas in Forest City begins November 24 Pictures from past Christmases show how the decorations have evolved. Breakfast with Santa to support Chase Band The Chase High School Band Boosters will hold a Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 3, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Providence United Methodist Church. The breakfast will serve as a fundraiser to help the band take part in the inaugural parade in 2017. If the band is not selected to participate, a comparable trip has been planned instead. The band boosters have held various fundraisers this year, including spirit nights at local restaurants, a concealed weapons permit class and concession sales during home football games. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, mixed fruit cup, milk, juice or coffee. Take out plates will be available as well. Cost of the breakfast is $7 per person; photos with Santa are an additional $3. Tickets may be purchased from band members, and walk ins are welcome. For more information, contact Tami Ford at tami_ford@yahoo.com.

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