A series of iconic Hartsville Christmas traditions are coming the first two weekends of December as the City of Hartsville hosts the Annual Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 5, the 2014 Hartsville Christmas Parade on Dec. 6, and a free movie showing of “Frozen” at the Center Theater on Dec. 13.
The celebrations will kick off Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. when the lighting ceremony for the City of Hartsville Christmas Tree takes place in Burry Park, found at 131 Cargill Way. Beginning with performances from several hometown choral groups and dance studios, the celebration will culminate with the lighting of Hartsville’s Christmas tree and the unveiling of the City’s Santa Claus mailbox. The mailbox, which will be found at the tree in Burry Park during the Christmas season, allows children to write letters to Santa and receive responses.
Hartsville’s 2014 Christmas Parade will then step off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. This massive community celebration, bringing together more than 50 of Hartsville’s schools, churches, businesses, elected officials and other organizations, is sponsored by North Industrial Machine, Sonoco and SPC Credit Union. The cadets of Hartsville High School’s JROTC will serve as color guard for the parade, which will feature such popular parade entries as Shriners stunt vehicles, bands, mounted units, dance teams and Santa Claus riding along with the Hartsville Fire Department.
The parade will leave from the Newsome Warehouse parking lot at 1111 S. Fifth St., then will travel up South Fifth Street, turning right onto Laurens Avenue and left onto South Fourth Street. After another left turn onto East Carolina Avenue, the parade continues on Carolina Avenue and ends at Thornwell School for the Arts at 437 W. Carolina Ave.
The season of special holiday events continues a week later on Saturday, Dec. 13, when the City of Hartsville will hold a free movie showing of Disney’s hit 2013 animated musical film “Frozen” at the Center Theater, 212 N. Fifth St. The movie, sponsored by the Darlington Raceway, will begin at 4 p.m., and will feature a special visit and photos with a Snow Queen just before the movie from 3 to 4 p.m. “Frozen” is rated PG for some action and mild rude humor.