This year, Union County is ringing in the holiday season with many family-friendly events offered to the community and visitors. While the leaves of a late autumn season are peaking, the county is beautiful, and now that the fall carnivals, hayrides, and visits to the pumpkin patch are wrapping up, it is time to mark your calendars for some spectacular Christmas events.
Cut your own tree
Kick off the season with a trip to Morgan Family Farm. The cut-your-own tree operation is located in Sharps Chapel and will have two weekends available to visit for the 2019 season. Make plans to take the family out to the gorgeous farm on Thanksgiving weekend: Friday, November 29; Saturday, November 30; or Sunday, December 1; or the second and final weekend, not only of the year but also for the tree farm itself, on Saturday, December 7 or Sunday, December 8. Hours are from 1 until 5 p.m. each day, and other times by appointment as necessary.
Light Up UC contest
Throughout the season of festivities, enjoy a cozy drive through the county after dark for a viewing of decadent Christmas lights as a part of UT Extension’s Third Annual Light Up Union County event. The purpose is to get everyone involved in decorating the town with categories for individuals, organizations, and commercial businesses. The picturesque Christmas feeling will warm your heart and set the mood for the upcoming holidays. There will be a winner and prize in each of the three categories.
Registration forms accompanied by photos of the completed scene are due via email to UCChristmas@utk.edu by December 2. Voting will take place on Facebook from December 6-16 with winners being announced on the UT Extension Union County Facebook page on December 17. Email or call 865-992-8038 for more info or entry form.
Christmas parade Dec. 7
What better way to soak up some cheer than to visit a local Christmas parade? Drag out the mittens and hats and attend the Annual Luttrell Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7. For more information contact the City of Luttrell at 865-992-0870. The Yearly Maynardville Christmas Parade will be held the second Sunday in December, falling on the 8th for 2019. The parade will be in the afternoon but those wanting to enter their floats for judging will have an early arrival at Union County High School. The parade will begin at UCHS, trailing north on Maynardville Highway, turning at Union County EMS heading towards Main Street and back to the starting point.
Tree Lighting, Opry Christmas Show Dec. 7
Union County’s newest and quite possibly largest holiday event will be A Union County Christmas. This event will kick off at the courthouse on December 7 at 5:30 pm for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting. Afterwards, the crowd will move to UCHS for a Union County Opry Christmas Show brought to you by Union County Government. The event will be free of charge to the public with a meal provided and held in conjunction with Union County Children’s Charities Under the Tree Program, where patrons are asked to bring a new, unopened toy as a donation to the program that benefits so many local children. This event is a unity of several organizations across the county and will provide citizens and visitors with an excellent family friendly holiday entertainment opportunity.
Under the Tree giving
Under the Tree Toy Distribution Day will be held Saturday, December 14 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at Union County High School front entrance. Children up to age twelve qualify to participate in the program. Contact 992-5943 if you wish to apply, donate, or volunteer. This is a strong local program that sponsors a Christmas morning experience to hundreds of Union County youths that would have nothing otherwise, a very heartwarming experience to see the tears of appreciation that these families shed when they are provided with things that are not possible without the community’s support.
Winter Craft Fair Dec. 7
There are several more opportunities to stay local and support the Union County community while getting into the Christmas spirit. The Winery at Seven Springs Farm will host a Winter Craft Fair with local crafters, vendors, food trucks, and much more on December 7. Contact them at 865-745-2902 to be a vendor or for more information. As a part of the craft fair, Union County Farmers Market will host a Winter Market providing honey, eggs, meat, produce, and crafts. Email bbergero@utk.edu for details. Santa will make his yearly appearance at Willow Ridge, which is a great time for the kids to share their wishes and get a picture made in Santa’s lap. The residents at Willow Ridge enjoy the children probably more than the kids enjoy Santa!
If nothing more, just be sure to get out, take a car ride with the family while singing some Christmas carols and enjoying the most beautiful views in East Tennessee, right here in Union County. Make your way over to Big Ridge State Park and take a cool hike, build some memories. Be sure to support our local businesses and the friendly folks that run them by shopping local for as many Christmas gifts as possible. Grab some local coffee before you head out to see the lights, drop by a boutique and get mom a cozy gift, or take the family out for a meal and a good chat without the planning and cleanup of a meal at home. Moral of the story, enjoy your family, embrace your community, and be a happy person that spreads holiday cheer wherever you go.