By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

PICKENS COUNTY — Blue Ridge Electric Co-op held its annual tree lighting ceremony last week, unofficially signaling the beginning of the holiday season, and all of Pickens County will be celebrating with parades and other events beginning this week.

McKissick Elementary School assistant principal Anita Richardson, 2016 South Carolina Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year, lit the Blue Ridge tree this year following a short meditation by the Rev. Fred Stone of Pickens First Baptist Church and an unexpected appearance from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Rocky Nimmons/Courier

Blue Ridge Electric Co-op president and CEO Charles Dalton holds the switch as McKissick Elementary School assistant principal Anita Richardson lights the Blue Ridge Christmas tree last week.

Rocky Nimmons/Courier

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham made an unexpected stop in Pickens for the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op tree lighting ceremony last week.

Pickens

The city of Pickens will hold its Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in Legacy Square. The kickoff to the holiday season will include caroling, special singers, a reading of the Christmas story and the lighting of the Christmas tree. Santa Claus himself will be visiting with all the children.

Pickens will hold its Christmas parade at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. This year’s parade theme is “The Doodle Express.”

Parade rules and the parade entry form can be found at the city’s website, cityofpickens.com.

Prizes will be awarded at the amphitheater following the parade.

Six Mile

Six Mile will hold its Old Fashioned Christmas the evening of Thursday, Dec. 1. This event brings the sights and sounds of the holiday season to downtown Six Mile. Enjoy refreshments provided by shop owners. Old Fashioned Christmas includes the lighting of the town’s Christmas lights and singing from area elementary students.

The Six Mile Christmas Parade will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. The parade committee is chaired by Diane Bowen. If you would like to be in the Six Mile Christmas Parade, contact Bowen at (864) 637-9090.

Central

Central’s Christmas Parade is planned for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

Clemson

The City of Clemson will hold its 23rd annual Holiday Parade at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6. The theme this year is “A Storybook Christmas.” Before the parade, enjoy hot chocolate and caroling beginning at 5 p.m. The city’s Christmas tree will be lit at 5:55 p.m., shortly before the parade begins. For more information, call Lindsey Watley at (864) 624-1120, ext. 16002.

Liberty

The Light My Liberty Christmas Parade and tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. Register at no cost by searching “Light My Liberty Christmas Parade” on eventbrite.com.

Before the parade, Liberty High School students will present a special performance of a Christmas play, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The play will begin at 5 p.m. in Sarlin Park.

Immediately following the parade, Santa Claus will be in Pedestrian Park for the tree lighting and will be available to take photos with children at no cost.

Easley

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce hosts the Easley Christmas Parade of Lights on the second Saturday of December each year. This year’s parade will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in downtown Easley.

This year’s parade is sponsored by Hendrick Honda of Easley. Parade entry applications are currently being accepted at the Chamber office at 2001 E. Main St. in Easley or by mail at P.O. Box 241, Easley. The entry fee is $25, and the deadline for entry is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

Parade entry applications, guidelines, rules and regulations, as well as the parade route, can be found online at the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce website at easleychamber.net.

Immediately following the Christmas Parade of Lights, the crowd is encouraged to stay downtown for the grand illumination festivities. This event takes place in front of City Hall and will include caroling, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and an official visit from Santa.

For more information, call the Chamber office at (864) 859-2693.

Norris

The town of Norris will hold a special Cookies and Milk with Santa event from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Norris Community Building, located at 612 Norris Highway in Central (at the park).

Parents are encouraged to bring cameras and cellphones in order to take pictures of their kids with Santa.

For more information, call (864) 639-2033.