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Mill planning annual Celtic Christmas event

PICKENS — Santa Claus is coming to town — and he’s bringing a little fun and music along with him.

The Hagood Mill will host its annual Ed Harrison Memorial Celtic Christmas show from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 19, featuring music, crafts, food and a visit from jolly old St. Nick himself. There is a $5 parking fee, but admission is free. All proceeds from parking will go to help the Hagood Mill. Music will start at noon.

Several years ago, Hagood Mill approached well-known local Uilleann pipe player Ed Harrison to host a Celtic Christmas show in December. Visitors loved it, and it has become an annual event and featured many fine regional musicians sharing songs of the season, mill officials said.

Harrison was a versatile musician with a passion for playing multiple styles of roots music on a wide variety of instruments. He was an accomplished dobro player and clawhammer banjo player, as well as playing cajun accordion and the Uilleann pipes. His warmth, good humor and ready laugh were a comfort to his family and many friends in the area. Sadly, after more than 20 years of battling cancer, Harrison passed away in 2012. The annual event has been named in his honor.

Along with the event’s co-hosts, Lucy Allen and Marshall Goers, this year’s event will feature local musical groups The Wolf Moon String Band and Lissakeole.

The Wolf Moon String Band is composed of a group of old friends who have played music together in various bands and settings going back 15 years. Allen and Goers have been regulars at the Celtic Christmas show since 2008. Allen and Goers are an acoustic duo whose passion for roots music combines elements of various musical genres. Returning this year is local Irish group Lissakeole, which plays and sings many popular Irish tunes and songs, but the members put their own stamp upon them.

Kids and adults alike are welcome to sit on Santa’s lap and share a Christmas wish. Bring a camera and St. Nick will pose for a picture with you from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.