’Tis the (changing) season…TC parade entries at 278 ‘and counting’ while rain claims Loris procession, more
Christmas colors are coincidental but timely as Tabor City’s historic caboose has been moved from a less visible location off of West 4th Street to the Garrell Depot parking lot just in time for Christmas. A large new artificial tree sits behind the caboose, the town’s new artificial skating rink between it and the depot building, just in time for Christmas festivities that begin tomorrow. (Deuce Niven, TLT)
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
It’s been feeling like Christmas in the Tabor-Loris Community for more than a minute, but mother nature is having something to say about event the best laid plans with some formal starts of the season impacted by rainy weather expected this weekend.
Loris, it seems, will suffer the most serious setback with cancellation of the annual Christmas parade, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, announced Wednesday.
A Christmas in July Parade is being plan, an email to parade participants from the sponsoring Loris Chamber of Commerce said.
“While are disappointed, the safety of everyone involved and attending is our top priority,” the chamber said.
Details on the July parade will be announced after the first of the year, “but we can already promise that it will be a fun and festive day for all,” the chamber said.
Those who have already paid their entry fees may either receive a full refund, or apply the payment to the July parade, the chamber said.
Tabor City ice skating and Cookie Crawl events have also been impacted by the forcast rain. See details below.
Tabor City’s parade, tonight (Dec. 4), will escape the rain. See those details, including the full parade route, below.
Brakes on skate
Rain is not expected in the Tabor-Loris Community today, Dec. 4, with temperatures of about 50 degrees expected when Tabor City’s 33rd annual Christmas Parade Under the Lights steps off.
That means the formal opening of Tabor City’s 12 Days of Christmas on Ice, ice skating on an artificial rink outside the Garrell Depot, will debut as scheduled ahead of the parade, open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Unfortunately, the 12 days will be trimmed to 10, with skating opportunities Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, cancelled because of expected rains.
Scheduled skating hours will resume Sunday, Dec. 7. More on the skate and scheduled hours is below.
Let is snow… even if it’s artificial at the Loris Tree Lighting on Dec. 2. (Jenn Boyd, TLT)
TC parade
Tabor City’s parade has 278 entries signed up, “and counting,” town Promotions Director Dianne N. Ward said before noon Thursday, up from 264 just two days earlier. That compares to a record 272 entries in 2024.
“This is looking like the biggest Christmas parade here ever,” Ward said.
Six bands are included in the parade entries.
At least another five entries are expected, Ward said, “but they haven’t told us what they are entering yet.”
Tabor City will host its inaugural Yam Drop on New Years’ Eve, extending the holiday joy. More on that below.
Hosted by the Town of Tabor City, the 33rd Annual Christmas Parade through the Lights steps off at 6:15 p.m. on East 5th Street at Old Stake and Pireway roads. The procession will wind its way past the main viewing areas near the Town Gate, turning south on Hickman Road before crossing the railroad tracks at Green Sea Road, turning north on Main Street, and ending near Wall Street, after Santa is dropped off for the next event…
Tree lighting
Hosted by the Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce, the annual tree lighting will be held in the Tabor City Public Library parking lot, with the big live tree gifted to the town some 25 years ago in memory of a founding Dirt Daubers Garden Club member to be formally illuminated for the season.
Christmas Carols will be sun and performances by the South Columbus High School Marching Stallion Band, the Reclaim Ministries Ladies Ensemble, local talent Alyssa Strickland, NC Yam Festival royalty and more are planned.
Hot chili and hot cocoa will be available for purchase on what organizers hope will remain a cool but dry evening. Santa will be at the Santa House, joined by Mrs. Claus, listening to the Christmas wishes of girls and boys.
‘12 Days of Christmas on Ice’
A synthetic ice skating rink purchased by town government has been in place outside the Garrell Depot for more than a week, and will see its first local public use tomorrow, Dec. 4.
“We are so excited to offer ice skating for kids who have never had the opportunity to skate,” town Ward said in an email outlining the project. “These types of rinks are used by professional hockey players who live in warmer climate areas that do not have access to an ice skating rink with real ice.”
Music, photo opportunities, food trucks and more are promised. Photo backdrops will include a large newly installed artificial tree and the town’s historic railroad caboose, moved to the depot property just last week. Skating isn’t free, but it’s affordable, Ward said.
Cost will be $3 for children 12 and younger, $5 for youth and adults starting at age 13. Skates will begin on the half-hour, with up to 24 skaters on the ice at one time.
Open, as the name implies, for 12 days, the ice rink will operate every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December, excluding Dec. 5 and 6, before Christmas. Operating hours will be from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Cookie Crawl
Another Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce sponsored event, the fifth annual Cookie Crawl was set from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. That has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 12.
“Everything is the same except the date,” Chamber Executive Vice-President Cynthia Nelson said.
Cookie boxes are available for purchase at the Tabor City Public Library. Get a free hot dog from the chamber while you are near the library, enjoy Christmas music playing from the Town Gazebo, then visit the 22 stops on the cookie crawl map this year. There will be two lucky boxes this year with winners receiving a cash prize. Festival Family Fun at the gazebo will include a limited supply of hot dogs and snow.
Trim a Tree
Judging for this year’s Chamber sponsored Trim a Tree decorating contest begins at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Businesses and residences inside the town limits are eligible. Call 910-840-0292 by 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, to enter.
Loris formally opens the holiday season with its Dec. 2 tree lighting. (Jenn Boyd, TLT)
Loris Tree lighting
This official holiday kick-off is already in the books, held Tuesday, Dec. 2. Live entertainment, refreshments, a shopping holiday market, “the reason for the season and maybe some snow,” were expected, said Loris Chamber of Commerce’s executive director Samantha Norris.
Small Town Christmas
Scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, this Downtown Tuesday event “will be a cozy celebration with twinkling lights, holiday music, hot cocoa, another festive seasonal market, a Christmas camel and maybe even more snow,” said Norris.
Main Street will be closed for this free event, also.
Yam Drop in TC
This inaugural New Year’s Eve event promises is for “families and kids to celebrate,” Ward said. Scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, the Yam Drop will take place at the Garrell Depot. Other details will be announced soon.
