Darleen Sutton, right, lights the tree as Blue Ridge CEO Charles Dalton

Above: Local residents and officials mingle following the lighting of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s Christmas tree last Tuesday in Pickens. Left: South Carolina Teacher of the Year Darleen Sutton, right, lights the tree as Blue Ridge CEO Charles Dalton looks on.

Cities schedule annual holiday celebrations

COUNTY — After Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative held its annual community tree-lighting ceremony last week, the yuletide season is upon us, and local cities are kicking off Christmas with their parades beginning this week.

The first parade in the county was the Clemson Christmas parade, which was held Tuesday. The city will also hold a tree lighting ceremony on Friday from 4-6:30 p.m.

Easley will also hold a tree lighting ceremony Friday at 6 p.m., as well as a celebration featuring music of the season. The city’s Christmas parade is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the route going from the parking lot of Easley First Baptist Church down Main Street. The parade’s theme will be “An Old Fashioned Christmas.”

Six Mile and Central will also hold their parades on Saturday, with Six Mile’s set for a 10:30 a.m. start and Central’s set to begin at 1:30 p.m.

Liberty has planned its tree lighting ceremony for 6 p.m. on Saturday, followed the next day by the city’s annual Christmas parade at 3 p.m.

With a theme of “The Doodle Express,” Pickens’ Christmas parade is set for 7 p.m. on Dec. 12, with awards to be presented following the parade in the city’s amphitheater and a fireworks display originating from Bruce Field to cap the night’s activities.

Dacusville’s parade is planned for Dec. 13, with the route starting at the Norman Heights subdivision and going up S.C. Highway 186 to the Dacusville Community Center.

Norris has also planned its parade for Dec. 13, with an 11 a.m. start and a theme of “Lights and Sounds of Christmas.”

On Dec. 20, the Ed Harrison Memorial Celtic Christmas will be held at Hagood Mill, beginning at 10 a.m.