By Gina Kay Honosky, Taylorsville Apple Festival, Inc.
Get ready for three days of shopping and getting into the holiday spirit with the second annual Old Fashioned Christmas event in Taylorsville, North Carolina (Alexander County). Old Fashioned Christmas is December 15-17, 2016, and offers much more than just holiday shopping.
Enjoy ice skating in town December 15-16, 2016, starting at 4pm Thursday and 3pm Friday, running until 9pm both nights. Skating will also be open Saturday. Skating is $6 and requires signing of a waiver by the participant or parent. Skate rental is included with that fee.
Saturday is the big day for the Old Fashioned Christmas, starting at 10am and continuing until 9pm. Ice skate again, ride the Polar Express Train, visit the Live Nativity and manger Petting Zoo, see Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and shop in the Angel Christmas Market — loaded with vendors.
There are fees for some events, including the reindeer rides ($5), petting zoo ($1), carriage rides on December 16 ($3-$5), and train rides ($3).
Winter Wonderland ride wristbands will be available at the gate for $20 on December 17. Local folks may purchase wristbands for $15 in advance from the Apple Festival office or Liberty Storage Solutions office.
Pictures with Santa and Frozen movie characters will be available, and Santa photo times may be reserved in advance.
The Live Nativity with narration and music beginning on Saturday at 5:30pm, with a 2nd performance planned at 7:30pm.
As a part of the Old Fashioned Christmas, a gingerbread house contest is open to kids ages 17 and under. Enter your gingerbread house before 1pm on December 19. Judging will be held at the information booth located outside Walker Insurance with First, Second, and Third place cash awards. Each gingerbread house entry will be judged on appearance and creativity.
Last year’s inaugural events drew about 20,000 attendees.
Plan to head to Taylorsville and start your holiday celebration a little early with the fun and shopping at the Old Fashioned Christmas. More event details are available online on the 2016 Old Fashioned Christmas event page. Note that craft vendor and food vendor registration is available, with links to forms and rules available on that event page. Or, call 828.632.2999 or 828.578.3159 with questions about vending or attending.
A portion of the event proceeds will help support the Needy Children’s Benevolence Fund. Also, it is a way to support an NC community.
Taylorsville is the county seat of Alexander County, North Carolina. The town is in the Piedmont area of the state, as the “gateway to the Brushy Mountains.”
