By Emily Beckett
Chilton County has no shortage of events for residents to attend before Christmas.
In addition to annual Christmas parades in each municipality, several local groups will offer indoor events open to the public during the month of December.
The Chilton County Master Gardeners Association will hold its first Christmas Home Tour on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1–4 p.m. at the homes of Bobby and Judy Martin, Melvin and Dot Hartley and Joe and Adriane Dennis.
Tickets may be purchased at the Chilton County Extension Office for $15 in advance or $20 the day of the tour.
Tickets must be purchased at the Extension office or at the Chilton County Master Gardeners website, Ccmga.aces.edu.
Refreshments will be served at the Extension office from 12:30–4:30 p.m.
Signs and directions to tour homes will be posted.
CCMGA President Sondra Henley said the group’s Fundraising Committee Chairwoman Ann Baker and committee members Jane Mason, Gail Foster, Diane Clapp, Teresa Davis, Trisha Williams and Linda Hays organized the tour.
“Homeowners will use their own holiday decorations, and then Master Gardeners will come in with fresh greenery, showing how it can be used among the decorations,” Henley said. “Each home may be viewed as long as an attendee would like to stay and the tour may be started at any home. Homeowners along with Master Gardener hostesses will be onsite to answer questions.”
Henley said funds collected from the tour would benefit the AMGA Scholarship Fund donation Chilton County Master Gardeners make annually.
For more information, call the Chilton County Extension Office at (205) 280-6268.
The Rotary Club of Chilton County will hold its first Christmas Festival on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center on Highway 145 in Clanton.
The event will feature a variety of vendors, live music and entertainment, refreshments, workshops and a meet-and-greet with Santa for children.
Tickets are $7 for adults, or $6 with a canned food item to be donated to the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center’s food drive.
Children ages 6–12 are half-price, and children under 6 are free.
Event sponsorships are available, as well as tickets at the door.
Rotary Club President Gordon Swenson said all proceeds from the festival will be given back to the people of Chilton County through causes the club supports.
The Clanton Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chilton County, will be Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
For more information about the Christmas Festival or parade, visit RotaryClubofChiltonCounty.org.
The city of Jemison will hold its annual tree lighting ceremony Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. at Jemison City Hall.
The event will include a nativity scene, singing, a band concert and refreshments.
Jemison’s Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11:30 a.m.
Participants should line up in front of Jemison High School at 11 a.m.
The parade will end in front of Jemison First Baptist Church on Highway 31.
For more information, call Jemison City Hall at (205) 688-4491 ext. 318.
The town of Maplesville’s Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.
Parade participants should line up at 3:30 p.m. at Maplesville High School.
Judging of the floats will be at 4:15 p.m.
For more information, contact Christine Epperson at (334) 375-1236 or Town Hall at (334) 366-4211.
The town of Thorsby’s Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.
For more information, call Thorsby Town Hall at (205) 646-3575.
Senior Connection of Chilton County will have its annual Christmas Community Open House on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4:30–6:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Senior Connections annual Christmas luncheon will be Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at Timberline Country Club.
The guest speaker will be Mike Robertson, executive director of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce.