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Published: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 02:06 PM

Holiday parades, more planned

Western York County communities will mark the Christmas season this month and next with holiday parades, an historic home tour, a tree lighting, music and many other community gatherings. Here’s a look at what’s going on.

Western York County communities will mark the Christmas season this month and next with holiday parades, an historic home tour, a tree lighting, music and many other community gatherings.

Here’s a look at what’s going on. Events are listed in order of occurrence.

Downtown York

The York Downtown Business Association will present a new holiday event, Welcome to Christmas in Downtown York, from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. Each business owner in the downtown area will offer a special event, refreshments or special deals to invite customers in.

“This just kind of kicks off the business selling season for us,” said event organizer Ronnie Bailes, owner of The Men’s Shop on Congress Street in downtown York. “Almost every one of the businesses on the street are participating. It should be a good evening for downtown.”

Santa will visit and Christmas carolers will be roaming Congress Street during the evening, he said.

Bailes said the event offers an opportunity to showcase downtown York at the holiday season to local residents and those who want to learn more about the community.

“So many communities have lost their downtowns,” Bailes said, “and it’s unique that we have been able to maintain ours.”

Clover tree lighting

An official Christmas tree lighting for the Clover community is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Centennial Park in Clover. The lighting will be at 6:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce.

Downtown businesses are encouraged to extend hours that evening. Holiday decorations, activities and music are planned in the downtown area. For more information, contact Jackie Robinson with the chamber by calling 803-627-4619 or via email at sccloverchamber@aol.com.

Christmas in Sharon

The annual Christmas in Olde Sharon will be 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, in the Western York County town of Sharon, featuring tours, holiday decorations, food and entertainment.

Santa will arrive by fire truck at 7 p.m. and will be in the Sharon Fire Department to visit with and have pictures taken with children. Tours will be given of local sites, including the home of Sandra Austin, the historic Hill building and the Sharon ARP Church.

A best-decorated-yard contest– featuring judging for the best holiday-themed and decorated yard for nighttime viewing – will be held, with cash prizes sponsored by Brownie’s Sales.

Businesses will be open to serve food, and homemade soups will be sold at the Sharon Fire Department. The Museum of Western York County will be open and the York Comprehensive High School Navy ROTC will perform rifle drills.

Pat and Jim Hodnett will sing carols in the museum library, and there will be a bake sale. Holiday caroling will be in the park; refreshments will be served at several locations.

Hickory Grove parade

The Hickory Grove parade begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 near the old Oxford plant and travels down Wylie Avenue to the VFW building. The parade is sponsored by the Hickory Grove Fire Department. Line-up begins at 2 p.m. There is no entry fee. Registration, call 803-925-2626.

Tirzah parade

The Tirzah Christmas parade begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 on Tirzah Road between S.C. 5 and S.C. 161 in York. Parking is available at Tirzah Presbyterian Church. Line-up begins at 2 p.m. There is no entry fee. Registration, call 803-366-3824 or email sfmoore@comporium.net.

Clover parade

The Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce will present Clover’s 42nd annual Christmas parade, “125 Christmases in Clover,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. It begins at Main Street and ends near Ultra Avenue.

Applications are due Monday, Nov. 26. For more information or to enter, contact Jackie Robinson at 803-627-4619 or email sccloverchamber@aol.com. Entry forms with fee can be mailed to the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 162, Clover, SC 29710.

York parade

The York Christmas Parade will be 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5. Entries are now being accepted.

The parade, presented by the Greater York Chamber of Commerce, starts at California and South Congress streets and ends at North Congress, Blackburn and Kings Mountain streets.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will bring up the end of the parade on Santa’s sleigh. The entry fee is $10. Line-up begins at 3:30 p.m. Rain date is Dec. 12. Entry forms are available online at www.greateryorkchamber.com.

Clover Choraliers

The annual Clover High School Choraliers Concert will be presented at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 8, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Clover School District Auditorium. Tickets will be sold at the box office.

For details and tickets, contact the box office at 803-222-8018.

York historic home tour

The Yorkville Historical Society will hold its 30th annual holiday tour of historic homes and buildings from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.

Six historic homes and two local businesses will be decorated for the holidays and open for viewing.

The homes include:

The Boylin house at 19 Wright Ave., owned by John and Diane Wine.

The Wine home at 17 Wright Ave., owned by Kellie Mull.

The home at 3 Wright Ave., owned Quinn and Anne Witte.

The Lowry home at 5 Wright Ave., owned by Steve and Fran Lowry.

The home at 3 Kings Mountain St., owned by Curtis Wingert.

The home at 7 Kings Mountain St.

Refreshments will be served at the Greater York Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets are $10, and can be purchased at the chamber, 23 E. Liberty St.; the Men’s Shop, 49 N. Congress St.; or at any of the homes on tour days. For information, call Denise Eakin, 803-230-4811.

A Baroque Musicale

The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra will present “A Baroque Musicale” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at McCelvey Center, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. The event, which will feature wintery favorites from the 17th and 18th centuries, is an addition to the historical society’s home tour.

The performance is sponsored by Hazel and Murray Somerville and The Men’s Shop. Tickets are $5, available at the door and in advance from the Greater York Chamber of Commerce and the Men’s Shop.

For more information, call 803-684-9022.

Brattonsville tours

Visitors can walk the candlelit paths of Historic Brattonsville in the McConnells community and experience a Southern-style Christmas in the Carolina backcountry on two Saturdays in December.

Costumed interpreters tell the stories of people who lived at the restored plantation long ago during the tours, from 3 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15. Visitors can meet the new settlers, plantation owners and enslaved African Americans as they bring to life the holiday seasons of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for youths ages 4 to 17, and free for ages 3 and under and Culture and Heritage Museum members. Visitors also can shop for period-style items at the Historic Brattonsville gift shop. Hot drinks, seasonal foods and baked goods will be sold.

Lake Wylie boat parade

The 24th annual “Lights on the Lake” Holiday Boat Parade in the Lake Wylie community begins at 6:30 p.m. at Buster Boyd Access Area and T-Bones on the Lake. Line-up begins at 6 p.m. Entry fees are $20 before Dec. 13, and $25 same-day. Registration, call 803-831-2827.