The debut of Holiday Moonlight Madness will be one of the highlights of the 2012 Winterfest celebration in Anderson.

The event will be held from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, at various businesses throughout the city.

“We invite everybody to come out and do some early Christmas shopping,” said Crystal Sherman of the Anderson Betterment Club, sponsor of Winterfest. “This is a great opportunity to support local businesses.”

Sherman said 14 businesseswill be participating in the event including, Anderson Floral, Rags To Riches, Grandma’s Attic, Brady’s Jewelry, Cooper’s Cafe, Big R’s Barbecue, Four State Printing, Incense and Peppermint, Impulse, Hometown Hardware, Daydream Cakes, Got It All Auction House, Discount Dollar and Town and Country.

“We are excited about this year’s event,” Sherman said. “We are up a few businesses from last year. It will be interesting to have an evening event.”

There will a drawing for a $100 gift card and $50 gas card. To enter, you must have your entry form signed at all 14 participating businesses. Also, several of the businesses will hold drawings oftheir own. Winners will be announced at the Winterfest Parade set for Nov. 24.

Other activities set for Saturday night include horse and carriage rides and carolers at Dabbs Greer Town Hole Park. The carriage rides will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. for a $5 per person charge. Santa Claus will also be present from 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday’s events begin with the annual 5K Winterfest run and walk set to begin at 8 a.m. Registration opens at 7 a.m. Entry fees are $15 pre-race and $20 race day. Entry form and more information are available at www.andersonbeterment.org.

Other activities the first weekend of Winterfest include the Community Church Service set for 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 at the First Christian Church.

Winterfest continues Saturday, Nov. 24, with the Pretty Baby Contest at 10:30 a.m. at the Exciting Living Word Church.

The annual Winterfest Parade is set for 2 p.m. and will be followed by the Meet Me Downtown For Winterfest Street Fair and Main Street Lighting Ceremony from 2 to 6 p.m.

More Parades

Southwest City and Pineville will hold Christmas parades Saturday, Dec. 1.

The Southwest City Commercial Club will host the city’s annual Christmas parade at 10:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to enter can contact Misty Reece at 417-762-3497. Entries are due by Nov. 23.

That evening, Pineville will hold the county’s only nightparade which will begin at 5 p.m. Anyone interested in entering the parade can call city hall at 417-223-4368 for more information.

Noel Train, Parade

The city of Noel will feature a day-long celebration on Saturday, Dec. 8. The 125th anniversary Christmas celebration will include street vendors all day with the parade set for 2 p.m.

At 4 p.m., the popular KCS Holiday Express will roll into town. The six-car train will bring Santa Claus and his elves to town. The cars include “Rudy,” a smiling tank car; a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and miniature village; a gingerbread boxcar; the elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose.

News, Pages 1 on 11/15/2012