16th annual tree lighting to brighten Calabash on Friday

CALABASH—Christmas is officially coming once again to the Seafood Capital as the town’s annual tree-lighting gets under way at 6 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 2.

LAURA LEWIS

Calabash will once again have lots of flash when its 16th annual tree-lighting gets under way at 6 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 2, in the parking lot of Callahan’s.

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The annual yuletide event, traditionally scheduled for the first Friday in December, takes place in the parking lot of Callahan’s of Calabash Christmas shop at the corner of Beach Drive and River Road.

As it has in Christmases past, Calabash’s 16th annual tree-lighting launches with a Spirit of Calabash Christmas golf cart parade marching down Beach Drive. Santa Claus will make his grand entrance at the tail end of the procession aboard a Calabash Fire Department engine.

This year’s stage entertainment lineup will feature Elvis impersonator James Haas, in addition to the Senior Tappers and kindergartners from Dance Connection. Local churches will once again lead caroling, according to event organizer Laura Ward.

Festivities will culminate with a candle-lighting, as candles are distributed and lighted among the crowd.

“Who doesn’t want to light up a candle?” Ward said.

In keeping with the true “Spirit of Calabash” tradition, there will also be a clothing and toy drive for children at Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School, as well as additional collections for items and nonperishable food for children and seniors through Brunswick Family Assistance.

“I’ve got a lot of kids that need to be adopted out,” Ward said. “They’re all local children that are in need, and if [residents] call me I can tell them what to get, or they can stop by and get a tag.”

Some tags are at BB&T Bank, and there will also be some available at the tree-lighting.

About 82 children who attend Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School are “definitely in need for clothes and toys,” Ward said.

The Elks Lodge is providing some assistance, “and I’m committing to some, but I’d love to commit to 82 kids in that one school,” Ward said, adding the school has a children’s wish list.

For more information about the collections, Ward asks people call her during business hours at Seaside Animal Care, 579-5550.