UPDATE 4:45 p.m. Dec. 3, 2020: Since this article was originally published, several events were postponed by the city of Dawsonville and Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. The Christmas parade, Tree Lighting, Jingle Market, food trucks and pictures with Santa have been postponed until Saturday, Dec. 5.
This week several Christmas-themed events will be held in Dawson County to kick off the holiday season, starting with the annual Dawsonville Christmas Parade, holiday market and tree lighting event.
This year's Breakfast with Santa event, normally hosted each year by the Dawson County Parks and Recreation Department, has unfortunately been canceled, but there are still many events coming to Dawson County and north Georgia to keep on your radar as we head towards Christmas Day.
See everything you need to know about upcoming holiday events below.
Dawsonville’s Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Jingle Market
When: Dec. 5, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dawsonville, Dawsonville Municipal Complex and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, 415 Hwy. 53 in Dawsonville
The annual Christmas celebration in downtown Dawsonville is scheduled for a new night this year. For 2020 the parade, tree lighting and Jingle Market will be held throughout the afternoon and evening on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.
Celebrations will kick off at the Dawsonville Jingle Market with food trucks, photos, cookie and ornament decorating, S’mores and other free festivities.
The parade through downtown Dawsonville will begin at 6 p.m.
Many spectators choose to line the sidewalks by Dairy Queen and the Dawsonville Municipal Complex for the best views.
The parade includes floats from various local organizations, churches and businesses, and a special visit from Santa Claus.
All the festivities will be capped off by the annual tree lighting at Dawsonville Municipal Complex. Each year the city unveils its massive Christmas tree and holds a lighting ceremony at dusk for the community to enjoy. Gather outside city hall and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and count down until the tree is lit.
Call the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 265-6278 for more information.
Gingerbread House Decorating at the Dawson County Library
When: Dec. 5, 10 a.m., noon or 2 p.m.
Where: Dawson County Library, 342 Allen Street in Dawsonville
Get ready to build a house! A gingerbread house, that is.
This year families, or groups of up to five people can book their own bubble at the Dawson County Library to build their own sugary little piece of real estate.
The event is open to kids ages 3 to 17, and will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. At least one adult is required to accompany a group of children, but no more than five people to a party. Masks are required for all adults and are encouraged for children.
The library will also offer ‘take and make’ gingerbread kits for those who prefer to create at home. They will be available for pickup Dec. 7 to 11
Registration is required as spaces are limited. Register by visiting Chestateelibrary.org or by calling (706) 344-3690.
Bethel Baptist Church Live Nativity
When: Dec. 11 and 12, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Bethel Baptist Church, 2659 Hwy. 236 west
Bethel Baptist Church in Dawsonville will host its annual live nativity program for the north Georgia community on two nights this December.
The program will feature biblical scenes performed by church members and live animals, shown through a 45-minute tractor-drawn wagon journey.
Admission to the event is free, but participants are urged to dress warmly and to take precautions against COVID-19. Masks and social distancing are encouraged.
Dawson Feed the Hungry
When: Dec. 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Georgia Racing Hall of Fame – 415 Hwy. 53 in Dawsonville
Feed your body and spirit at the sixth annual Dawson Feed the Hungry event, scheduled for Christmas day at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville.
Scotty Seay, who founded the annual event six years ago, said that the event is meant to feed those who are physically hungry in the community, but community members that are emotionally “hungry” during the holiday.
Feed the Hungry is open to anyone in need, both in Dawson and surrounding counties.
“It’s not just Dawson County, we try to help everyone in Dawson County but we reach out to other counties too and we’ll go out of our way to make other counties feel welcome,” Seay said.
For those wanting to help with the event, Seay said that there are many ways to volunteer, from cooking and dropping off food to volunteering time.
The menu this year will include chicken tenders, spiral ham, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and desserts. Dessert donations can be dropped off at the Racing Hall of Fame either on Christmas Day or the day before, and hot, prepared food must be dropped off the morning of the event.
For more information on the event, how to pre-order a meal or how to volunteer, you can call Scotty Seay at (770) 866-2005 or email Seay69@msn.com.