Holiday cheer on tap

From parades and special programs, to appearances by Santa and outdoor fun, a plethora of fun events are on tap during upcoming weeks in Cherokee County:

A weekly Women of Advent Sermon series will be held Sundays in December, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

A four-part Advent series kicked off Dec. 5 at First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, with a 10:30 a.m. Sunday cantata, “A Festival of Lessons and Carols.” On Thursday, Dec. 16, a “Blue Christmas” service begins at 3 p.m. The church will present its Children’s Christmas program at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19; a candlelight Christmas Eve service begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24.

In Troup, the annual Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, in the city’s downtown.

A Bethlehem “Miracle City” welcomes visitors 6-8 p.m. nightly, Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 8-10, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1720 S. Bolton St. in Jacksonville. Visitors can get a glimpse of life in Bethlehem during the time when Christ was born.

Santa Claus is coming to Rusk! The Jolly Old Elf will appear at the Rusk Public Library at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, ready for selfies with visitors! The library also will be showing “Polar Express” in the children’s room.

On Sunday, Dec. 12, First Baptist Church’s music ministry will present “Christ Has Come,” beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Rusk church, while First United Methodist Church in Rusk will present “Sounds of the Season,” with musical performances by the church choir, handbells and children. And later that day in Alto, A Frank Smith United Methodist Church’s Christmas Cantata begins at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Alto’s Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, with line up starting at 5 p.m. at the Alto Missionary Baptist Church parking lot on Hwy. 294. The annual event is sponsored by the local Lions Club.

On Dec. 14, Alto schools will present their Christmas Musical 2021 at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the district cafeteria. Students from the district’s Pre-K through fourth grade programs, along with the Alto Middle School/High School Band will perform, and hot chocolate and cookies will be sold prior to the start of the program, as well as during a brief intermission between performances.

Santa will make an appearance at the Good Samaritan Food Pantry and Thrift Store from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. The pantry is located at 190 W. 2nd St. in Rusk.

In Wells, students will offer a 6 p.m. Christmas program on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the district gymnasium, while in Troup, the school’s bands will host their 2021 holiday concert at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Troup High School auditorium.

Santa and Mrs. Claus pop back into the area on Saturday, Dec. 18, stopping in from 9 a.m. to noon at The Clothes Closet & More, 314 S. Main St.

First Baptist Church in Alto will hold a Christmas Cantata at 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 19.

On Sunday, Dec. 19, Rusk’s First United Methodist Church will host a 4 p.m. Blue Christmas service at 255 S. Henderson St. for those who are carrying pain, hurt or loss during the holiday season.

Christmas Eve services are planned for 5 p.m. (candlelight) at A Frank Smith Church in Alto; 6 p.m. (candlelight) at First United Methodist Church in Rusk; at 6 p.m. at Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville; and at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church – Rusk.

Rounding out the holiday season is a first day hike at Mission Tejas State Park on New Year’s Day. The 10 a.m. Saturday hike explores some of the mission’s oldest trails at the state park located at 19343 State Highway 21 East in Grapeland. While the program is free of charge, there is a $3 admission for visitors ages 13 and older.