Woodstock's Light Up the Season 2015

Holiday Hospitality

Cherokee Thanksgiving
Canton First United Methodist Church will host Cherokee Thanksgiving, providing and delivering free Thanksgiving dinners with all the trimmings to families in need throughout Cherokee County. Volunteers are needed, and monetary donations are accepted. For meals, call 770-877-2601. To volunteer: 770-656-9209, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 930 Lower Scott Mill Road, Canton. CantonFirstUMC.org/give/

House of Hope
The Hope for Hungry (aka Blue Bag Program) allows YOU, the people of our community, to give back to others by becoming a Blue Bag Partner of Hope! Heres how the program works: We will drop your bag off at your house. You will then spend the next 2 months filling the bag with as many items as you can from our Preferred List. Finally, set your Blue Bag of Hope outside your home on your scheduled pick-up Saturday, and they will come by to pick up your food donations and replace your filled bag with an empty one. 770-313-6287. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., HouseOfHopeFreeHome.com

Least of These Ministries
This ministry is dedicated to meeting the practical needs of individuals with the love of Christ, through assistance with food, clothing and assisting with employment. They strive to assist clients in recognizing the root cause of the situation they find themselves in and to take steps to break the cycle of these issues. Their goal is to work with other community organizations to best meet the needs of their clients. They offer an emergency food pantry, which is for clients who have hit a rough spot and need assistance with food. The primary focus is to help clients who do not receive government assistance, but have hit a rough spot and cannot make ends meet. Please call for drop off dates and times. 8889 Fincher Road, Waleska. 770-547-4045. LeastOfTheseMinistriesGeorgia.com/

MUST Ministries
MUST Ministries is collecting food for 1,000 families that the organization expects to serve this year through their annual Thanksgiving Food Box Program. Last year, about 3000 people in 963 families were served through this program. The following items are needed to fill the Thanksgiving boxes: cans of corn, green beans, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes; boxes of mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread mix and stuffing; packages of gravy mix; frozen pies and turkeys; and grocery store gift cards. Non-perishable items can be dropped off 8:00 am-3:00 pm, November 9-13 at MUST Ministries, Canton. Frozen turkeys and pies can be dropped off 8:00 am-9:00 am, November 23-25 at MUST Ministries Cherokee location. For questions or more information, please contact Ranettia Beasley at 770-576-0359.

Papas Pantry
For Thanksgiving, they customize this special dinner for each partnered client family based on a menu furnished by the client. Its their goal to ensure that even in tough times, family traditions will continue with gratitude! Throughout the winter months, Papas Pantry will also accept new electric space heaters. Both Cherokee County Papas Pantry locations accept food donations throughout the year to help families in need: canned meat cereal and cereal bars, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, canned pasta and boxed and packaged side items. For Christmas, starting in mid-November, families can be adopted through their Papa Noel Christmas Wish program. They try to match ages, boys/girls, & interests to better personalize everyones experience. Many of their families are headed by single mothers. They ask for Christmas goodies for moms, too! Pajamas, wallets and jewelry are examples of what moms most enjoy. They work closely with each family and get to know them; they believe this lessens the risk of fraud or duplication of efforts from one charitable organization to another. Donations can be made Tuesday, 4:00-7:00 pm and Friday, 3:00-5:00 pm, 6551 Commerce Parkway, Suite 200, Woodstock.770-591-4730. PapasPantry.org

Timothys Cupboard
Timothys Cupboard desires to minister aid through their food bank. Small grants, cash gifts and food drives from outside the church boundaries have provided support, thus supplementing their ministry and enabling them to further their reach. Drop off food and small household items in the collection barrel inside the church. For donations of cash or larger items, call the food bank or the church office. Food is available to residents of Cherokee County by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:00 am-1:00 pm, Timothy Lutheran Church, 556 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock. For assistance or to volunteer, contact Timothys Cupboard at 770-591-5515. TimothyLutheran.360unite.com/timothys-cupboard-home

Rooted In Love
Rooted in Love is a non-profit in Cherokee County that provides a meal and specific needs to the homeless in Cherokee County on the first Saturday of each month, (November 7th and December 5th  are the next 2 dates). They offer the homeless families food, toilet paper, water, clothes and goody bags. The meals usually take place at Changed 2 Ministries, 2484 Marietta Hwy, Canton. RootedInLoveGa.org

Holiday Happenings

November 14
Cherokee Charter Academy Holiday Mart
5th Annual Holiday Mart to support the exceptional student experience and promote local small businesses in our community and beyond. Featuring 80+ unique vendors, Santas Workshop (Kids Craft Area), live entertainment, photos with Santa, a special visit from Elsa! and food trucks. 9:30 am-2:00 pm, 2126 Sixes Road, Canton. HolidayMart2.wix.com/HolidayMart

November 14-16
Annual Holiday Tour of Homes
The Junior Service League of Woodstock Holiday Tour of Homes has raised over $350,000 since its inception in 1997, allowing the JSL to invest in the lives of needy citizens of Cherokee County. The tour features exquisite homes in Woodstock and Canton that are professionally decorated for the holidays by local designers. Each home has unique features that make it distinctive. Visitors will be able to get numerous decorating ideas to make their own homes more festive for the holiday season. Each year, we showcase two homes on a candlelight evening tour. For more information/ticket purchase, visit JSLWoodstock.org

November 14
Jingle Bell $hop
A one-stop holiday shopping extravaganza of beautiful and distinctive gifts. 11:00 am-8:00 pm, Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, Cherokee County Administration Building. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

November 27
Love Lights a Tree
Annual Christmas tree lighting, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. 5:30 pm, Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, Downtown Canton. 770-704-1500. CherokeeChamber.com

November 28
Cartoon Christmas Celebration
Grinch Maze, Frozen Karaoke, Minion Photo Booth, Rudolph Scavenger Hunt, Ride-A-long Hay Ride with Snoopy as he hunts for the Red Baron, visit with Santa at his home on the road, and storytelling with Mrs. Claus. All activities FREE to the public, everyone invited. 1:00-6:00 pm, Autumn Hill Nursery, 4256 Earney Road, Woodstock. AutumnHillNursery.com

December 1-17
Santas Mailbox
Santas elves will be delivering his mailbox to Woodstock again this year! Begin the holiday season with a letter to the Jolly Ol Elf and hand deliver it to the North Pole Express mailbox! Santa will send a personalized letter in the mail, just before Christmas! Gazebo- the Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. WoodstockGa.gov

December 2
Here Comes Santa!
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by, so be sure grab your camera and come visit. We will have crafts, refreshments and entertainment by the Avery Elementary School Choir, directed by David Boggs, at 6:30 pm. And dont miss the tree lighting! All ages are welcome. 5:30-7:30pm, Hickory Flat Public Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-345-7565. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

December 3
The Polar Express & Santa Visit
Bring your blanket, and wear your best pjs to experience the magic of Van Allsburgs classic holiday tale, The Polar Express. Join us for crafts, music, refreshments and a visit from Santa. Registration begins on November 19, please call to reserve your spot. All ages are welcome. 6:00-7:45 pm, Rose Creek Public Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. 770-591-1491. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

December 4
Friday Night Live
Christmas on Main. The spirit of Christmas can be found in Downtown at Christmas on Main. Its the perfect chance to Christmas shop and have some fun at the same time. Santa has already RSVPd to attend! 6:00-9:00 pm, Downtown Woodstock. 770-924-0406. DowntownWoodstock.org

December 4
Holly Springs Tree Lighting
Bundle up and celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with the annual tree lighting. Songs of the season will be heard from local talent. Join the City of Holly Springs for light refreshments following the lighting of the tree. For the third year in a row, the city is proud to partner with the Volunteer Aging Council, the Holly Springs Downtown Development Authority and Northside Hospital-Cherokee to present the Tree of Hope. Citizens can make a donation in honor of or in memory of a friend or loved one, and for each donation, an ornament with the name of your honoree will be placed on the tree. Your donation will enable the Volunteer Aging Council to assist seniors in need. We need to receive your donation by Tuesday, December 1, in order to recognize your generosity for the tree lighting. We will, however, accept contributions throughout the holiday season and continue to place the ornaments on the tree until the end of December. Tree lighting is at 6:30 pm, the Historic Train, Holly Springs. Ga-HollySprings.CivicPlus.com

December 4
The Annual March of the Toys for Toys for Tots Parade
This event brings in excess of 4,000 people each year to downtown Ball Ground to enjoy the parade, shop and visit with Santa. 6:00 pm, Downtown Gazebo. 770-735-2123. CityOfBallGround.com/events/

December 5
A Christmas Carol
The Elm Street Theater will present a free performance of Charles Dickens classic Christmas tale. 2:00 pm, Downtown Woodstock. WhatsUpWoodstock.com

December 5
Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights
Kick off the holiday season with our traditional Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights. Bring your children after the parade to the Park at City Center to visit Santa with their wish lists. The Mayor and Santa will flip the switch to light the Park and Christmas tree! Winners of best float will be announced. Music provided by Ronnie the DJ, free moonwalk by Colby Chiropractic. 5:30 pm, Movie in the Park starts at 7:30 pm, Downtown Woodstock. WoodstockGa.gov

December 5
Holly Springs Christmas Parade
Come line the streets of Holly Springs Parkway to watch the 11th Annual Holly Springs Christmas Parade! After the parade ends at the Historic Train Depot, come inside for a complimentary picture with Santa! Outside the Depot, enjoy carols from elementary school choirs, hot cocoa, treats and crafts! 1:30 pm. Ga-HollySprings.CivicPlus.com

December 5
Reindeer Run 5K & Fun Run
The Service League of Cherokee County presents the 13th Annual Run for the Children Reindeer Run 5K and Fun Run. 8:00 am, Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ServiceLeague.net

December 5
Canton Christmas Parade and Marketplace
Music and Marketplace start at 3:00 pm, the parade starts at 6:00 pm. There will be music after the parade. Santa will be in the gazebo in Cannon Park from 3:30-5:30 pm for pictures, Downtown Canton. 770-704-1500. CherokeeChamber.com

December 5
Crafting a Holiday Wreath
Presented by Cherokee Master Gardeners. 10:00 am-Noon, Cherokee Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. CAES.UGA.edu/Extension/Cherokee/MasterGardeners/

December 6
Santa at Urban Secrets Boutique
Photos, cookies and story time. 2:00-4:00 pm, 6175 Hickory Flat Hwy., Ste. 165, Canton.

December 7
Holiday Open House
Celebrate the season and enjoy the Festival of Trees during our Holiday Open House. We will have crafts, refreshments, a tree lighting, storytelling and songs performed by the Hasty Elementary Chorus. Welcome the holiday season with library staff and friends. All ages are welcome. 6:00-7:45 pm, R.T. Jones Public Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. 770-479-3090. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

December 7
Santas Workshop
Free Event! Pictures and Breakfast with Santa, Ms. Claus Kitchen, lots of crafts and games for the kids. 10:00 am-12:00 pm, the House of Hope, 11954 Cumming Hwy., Canton. HouseOfHopeFreeHome.com

Holiday Highlights

Salon and Spa Venssa
Give yourself the gift of beautiful hair with 99% naturally derived dry shampoo. Avedas new Shampure Dry Shampoo revives your hair and senses, while bringing it back to life between shampoos. This non-aerosol, powder mist absorbs excess oils and infuses aromas of 25 pure plant and flower essences, available now at Salon and Spa Venssa, 8516 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-591-2079. Facebook.com/SalonAndSpaVenessa

Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill
The holidays are fast approaching! With that, comes the need for unique gift ideas for family and friends. Give the gift of Fire Stone Gift Cards, as nothing is better during the holidays than spending quality time dining on delicious food with your loved ones! Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill, Downtown Woodstock, 120 Chambers Street, Woodstock, GA 30188. 770-926-6778, FireStoneRestaurants.com