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Wilson This Week -- Dec. 5, 2024 |
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Christmas Cheer Challenge under way!
This holiday season we've issued Wilson's first Christmas Cheer Challenge! We are trying to find the brightest and best holiday decorations to show off our Christmas spirit.
Entering the challenge is easy – just fill out the short registration form at the link below. Your address will be added to the map, which can be used to create customized lights tours.
Then you will need to make sure your lights are on 5-9 p.m. daily, beginning Friday, Dec. 6, and going through Tuesday, Dec. 24. This will allow motorists to find and enjoy the most festive and fun displays.
We will also be sending a panel of judges toward the end of the contest. The judges, who may be elves, enchanted snowmen or reindeer, will be looking for the best representatives in these categories:
Most Innovative – Who is the most creative decorator? Who gets the most out of the least?
Brightest - ‘nuff said. We want the yard that even Rudolph says, “That’s a bit much.”
Best Overall Business Display - We want to honor a business going all out for the holidays.
Most Spirited - This category could go to an unusual display. Pick a theme and commit. Maybe your house is for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Traditional Christmas – This is a “we’ll know when we see it” category. We are looking for the display that tugs at the heart strings.
Best Neighborhood – We are looking for a group of homes that might all have a little spirit and collectively it’s more than the sum of the parts.
We may award all of these prizes, depending on the quantity and quality of entries. Winners will receive a yard sign as a winner of the 1 st Christmas Cheer Challenge.
Winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 23.
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Bill Myers is grand marshal of Christmas Parade
Introducing the 2024 Wilson Christmas Parade Grand Marshal - William E. (Bill) Myers!
This year, we proudly welcome William E. (Bill) Myers as the Grand Marshal. Myers, a Greenville native and Wilson County civic leader, is a celebrated educator, musician, and community leader. As the Director of the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum, he continues to champion African American history and culture. His exceptional career includes co-founding the musical group The Monitors, serving as the first African-American Assistant Superintendent for Personnel for Wilson County Schools, and receiving the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2022. He was also chosen by the Human Relations Commission as the Paul Lee Stevens Humanitarian of the Year award earlier this year.
Join us this Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m. for the Wilson Christmas Parade.
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Holiday magic is just around the corner! The Vaughan's Jewelers Train of Lights returns to the Recreation Park Miniature Train, 500 Sunset Rd. starting tonight and running through December 22. The Train of Lights runs Thursdays to Sundays, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bring the family for a festive ride through twinkling lights and holiday cheer!
Warm up with hot chocolate & cookies for sale, with proceeds supporting Special Olympics of Wilson County during each night of the Train of Lights.
Tickets are $2 per person (cash only), so bundle up and come make some holiday memories!
 Dates: December 5 - 22
 Location: Recreation Park Miniature Train, 500 Sunset Rd, Wilson, NC
 Cost: $2 per ride (cash only)
Get ready for the 2024 Wilson Christmas Parade!
Join us for the 2024 Wilson Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00 AM running along Nash Street to Douglas Street! This festive event is a beloved tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the holiday season in grand style.
Up to 110 entries, the parade will feature everything from marching bands and dance groups to school teams, horse riders, pageant queens, and floats from local businesses and nonprofits. There’s something for everyone to enjoy as we kick off the holidays with festive cheer!
Parade Highlights:
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"Quiet Zone" for Families with Sensory Sensitivities
To ensure that everyone can enjoy the parade, we will again offer a "Quiet Zone" on the block between Whitehead Avenue and Bruton Street. During this section of the route, all sirens, music, noise-makers, and flashing lights will be turned off. This special area provides a sensory-friendly environment for families.
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Day-of-Event Details
Streets along the parade route will close as early as 6:00 AM on Saturday, so please plan accordingly. If you live or park along the parade route, we kindly ask that all vehicles be moved by Friday evening to ensure a smooth setup.
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Continue the holiday spirit at ArtSpin: A Downtown Christmas Celebration on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 1 - 5 PM! Whether rain or shine, Historic Downtown Wilson will come alive with festive cheer, creativity, and community fun.
What to Expect:
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Local Shopping at the Holiday Market – located at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park.
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Activities for Kids & Adults – Hands-on activities that are fun for the whole family!
- Carnival Rides
- Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus
- Holiday Photo Ops
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Live Music – Enjoy the sounds of the season with performances throughout the day.
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Downtown Dining – Savor delicious food from our downtown eateries.
This free, family-friendly event is brought to you by the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation and Wilson Arts. While most activities are free, select ones may have a small fee.
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City holidays on the way
The City of Wilson will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24-Thursday, Dec. 26, for Christmas and then Wednesday, Jan. 1, for New Year's Day. We will tell you more about those schedule changes in an upcoming edition of Wilson This Week.
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