Things to do: First Fridays and Christmas Parade make for festive holiday combo

Jay Powell, The Daily Herald
·4 min read
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus ride on a Columbia Fire and Rescue engine down East 7th Street marking the end of the Columbia Main Street Christmas Parade on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. (Staff photo by Mike Christen)
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus ride on a Columbia Fire and Rescue engine down East 7th Street marking the end of the Columbia Main Street Christmas Parade on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. (Staff photo by Mike Christen)

The holidays are officially here this weekend as Columbia celebrates its 36th annual Christmas Parade, tree lighting, as well as a festive First Fridays and more.

1. Columbia Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

The new 40-foot Christmas tree stands tall and illuminated at the first Night of Light lighting ceremony of the new Christmas tree on the Columbia courthouse square on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018.
The new 40-foot Christmas tree stands tall and illuminated at the first Night of Light lighting ceremony of the new Christmas tree on the Columbia courthouse square on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018.

Columbia will ring in the holiday season with its 36th annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting on the downtown square this Saturday.

The festivities, presented by Columbia Main Street Corporation, are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday, starting with the parade and concluding with the tree lighting, which should occur at about 7:15 p.m.

The annual event will once again be hosted by national radio personality and The Mulehouse founder Blair Garner. Music will also be provided by this year's featured artist, "The Swanky South Crooner" Makky Kaylor.

Known as "The Swanky South Crooner," Makky Kaylor returns to his Memphis roots with his latest release, "Back To The River," a six-song set released March 19.
Known as "The Swanky South Crooner," Makky Kaylor returns to his Memphis roots with his latest release, "Back To The River," a six-song set released March 19.

“We are excited about this year’s Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony," Kelli Messmer Johnson, Main Street Manager and event organizer, said.

“We are anticipating another great year of festive parade floats with an added incentive of cash prize awards given out during the tree lighting ceremony.” Johnson added “I am also thrilled to share that Columbia Main Street Corporation has purchased a new 3-D star topper that will debut at the tree lighting ceremony. You will definitely want to bring the entire family for this hometown Christmas spectacular.”

2. First Fridays

Prior to Saturday's holiday festivities, Columbia will celebrate its December First Fridays, with many opportunities for shopping, live music and good food.

First Fridays events typically run from 5-8 p.m., with some shops staying open late, as well as holiday sales and more.

A First Fridays Family Zone, hosted by Rolling Hills Church, will be located at the parking lot next to East 5th Street. The area will include inflatables, games and light snacks available.

3. Maury Christmas Historic Home Tour

The Athenaeum Rectory is a historic building located in Columbia that features both Gothic and Moorish architectural elements. Completed in 1837, the building originally served as the rectory for the Columbia Female Institute
The Athenaeum Rectory is a historic building located in Columbia that features both Gothic and Moorish architectural elements. Completed in 1837, the building originally served as the rectory for the Columbia Female Institute

The holidays hold many traditions, especially in an historic town like Columbia, inviting locals to visit and tour many of its historic homes during this time of year.

This year's tour sites will include three historic churches, three private residences, and a museum.

The other three sites are the President James K. Polk Home, historic Elm Springs and the Athenaeum Rectory, all of Columbia.

To tour just the three beforementioned sites would cost over $30. However, during this special weekend a ticket to tour all ten tour sites costs just $25.

The annual home tour is a Maury County tradition dating back to the 1950s. Proceeds of the tour benefit the ongoing restoration and operations of the Athenaeum Rectory, built in 1835.

Tickets are available at Elm Springs, the Maury County Visitors Center, and Tour Headquarters (the Athenaeum). For more information, please visit www.maurychristmas.org or call (931) 797-3316.

4. Watershed Holiday Farm Bazaar

Watershed Public Theatre will host its annual Farm Holiday Bazaar this weekend, taking place Saturday and Sunday. The all-ages event is free to attend.
Watershed Public Theatre will host its annual Farm Holiday Bazaar this weekend, taking place Saturday and Sunday. The all-ages event is free to attend.

Watershed Public Theatre will kick off its holiday events this weekend by hosting its annual Holiday Farm Bazaar.

The event will take place over two days at 150 Schoolhouse Road in Summertown, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Shop amongst multiple vendors selling unique handcrafted gifts, clothing, books, sweets and much more. Food and drinks will also be served throughout the day.

A percentage of all sales will be donated to benefit Watershed's mission in bringing top of the line local theater to Columbia.

5. Live Entertainment

Chief Smiley Ricks & The C-Town Special will perform at Asgard Brewing Co. & Taproom, 104 E. 5th St., starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Stranger Than Fiction will perform at Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 150 Stephen P. Yokich Parkway in Spring Hill, starting at 8 p.m. Friday.

Black Hole Sons will perform at Fozzy's Bar & Grill starting at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Rory Feek will host another of his popular home concerts at his Hardison Mill Concert Hall, 4544 Highway 431, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $50 and available at www.RoryFeek.com.

Kristin Larkin will perform at Twisted Copper Brewing Company, 107 S. Main St. in Mt. Pleasant, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Classic Vinyl 931 will perform at Cypress Barn at Miller Lake, 5176 Miller Lake in Culleoka, starting at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Dinner and Dance event is 18 and up, with check-in at 5 p.m., dinner at 6:15 p.m., followed by music at 7 p.m. Cost is $65 per person.

Jay Powell
Jay Powell

Jay Powell covers events and entertainment for The Daily Herald. Contact him at jpowell@c-dh.net or follow him on Twitter @JayPowellCDH.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Things to do: First Fridays and Christmas Parade make for festive holiday combo