New Bern, Pollocksville tree-lightings kick off busy weekend

Dec. 05--The official town Christmas tree lights come on Friday afternoon during holiday celebrations in New Bern and Pollocksville.

The traditional lighting of the New Bern Christmas Tree on the city waterfront features entertainment and the arrival of Santa on a New Bern fire truck Friday afternoon at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

The tree is an annual gift to the city by the hotel. The event is in its ninth year.

This year's 17 1/2 -foot tree was cut down in the North Carolina mountains and brought to New Bern by Jeff Whitley, the chief engineer at DoubleTree.

Beasley Broadcast personality Radio Joe will "warm up the crowd," beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The hotel will provide free hot chocolate and cider, along with cookies.

The opening of the lighting ceremony will feature the 40-member Worship Choir from Temple Baptist Church.

They will offer three special arrangements of classic Christmas music -- "Joy to the World," "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful" and "Angels We Have Heard on High."

Other entertainment includes members of the New Bern High School band, with a Christmas melody; singer John Van Dyke; and the Wanda Kay Dancers. The dance troupe has performed every year of the event.

The JROTC from New Bern High will present the colors, and the children from St. Paul Catholic Church will sing Christmas songs.

Channel 12 anchors Anna Bulszewicz and Les Still will emcee the event, and local dignitaries are expected to be on hand.

The tree-lighting is slated around 6 p.m., followed by the arrival of Santa on his traditional ride for this event -- a New Bern Fire and Rescue fire truck.

Marines from Camp Lejeune again make an appearance, collecting for Toys for Tots. The toys are collected and distributed locally.

In neighboring Jones County, the third year of "Christmas on Main Street" has become an annual holiday tradition in a very short time in Pollocksville.

This year, it is Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., with an opening ceremony at The Depot, with the music by the Children's Choir and the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

Santa will be on hand. One year he was spotted riding a motorcycle.

Other activities include "Fire on the Water," historic homes and town tours and children's activities, along with a hayride.

There will be crafts by the 4-H, along with activities by the Jones Senior Art Club and Rotary Interact Club. Also on tap are face painting, a marshmallow roast, art studio tours and an antique car show.

The Trent Restaurant has "Dinner on the Trent" at the community building, with barbecue, hot dogs, chili, punch and snacks.

Music is by Ray Rouse and the Cold Biscuit Band and a choir of carolers from local churches and schools.

It is sponsored by Moore's Barbecue; Pollocksville Rotary; Coldwell Banker-Stewart Smith; State Farm Insurance-Chad Sittig; Allen Drugs; Southern Bank; and ZAK's of Mallardtown.

For information, call 224-1446.

Saturday events

A festive holiday weekend continues early Saturday, with the annual CarolinaEast Foundation's Breakfast with Santa at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.

There are tickets remaining only for the 12:30 p.m. seating. Children and adults are $17 each.

For reservations on the web: carolinaeastfoundation.com; email [email protected] or call 633-8247.

It is a chance for a young child to spend some one-on-one time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The jolly man will be available for photos and to listen to each child's wish list. Families receive a printed photograph with Santa before they leave.

Other events include The KidZone with crafts and bead-making, Story Time with Mrs. Claus, Letters to Santa and Cookie Decorating. New this year is the Polar Express.

Children may also purchase items in the Under the Tree kids-only gift shop.

The proceeds enable the Foundation in assisting countless individuals and families with unmet health care needs in Eastern North Carolina through the patient assistance program.

The Coastal Carolina Christmas Arts, Crafts and Gift Show to benefit Pamlico County students is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Craven County Fairgrounds on U.S. 70 East.

Teacher Martha Harper, who has organized this event for 22 years, said there are more than 85 vendors.

Shoppers can also register for a $100 shopping spree at 2 p.m., with the ad from the Sunday Sun Journal. You must be present to win.

The first 200 customers are eligible for drawings of "craft show bucks" which can be spent at the show.

Admission is $4 for adults and children under 12 are free.

The JROTC at Pamlico County High School will have a food booth. On the web: Coastalcarolinachristmas.org

The Maysville Christmas Parade is also Saturday at 10 a.m., with African-American racing legend Eugene Coard of The Mutt Brothers Motorsports in attendance, along with their Sox and Martin Pro Stock Duster.

Tryon Palace hosts a "Crafting Christmas Ornament Workshop" Saturday at the North Carolina History Center on South Front Street in New Bern.

Each class is limited to 18 children, and sessions are at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Preregistration is encouraged by calling 639-3524. Extra openings will be filled the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is for ages 5 to 10 years and children take home a pinwheel ornament. On the web: Tryonpalace.org

The Friends of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library and the English Speaking Union present "A Dickens of a Christmas" on Saturday.

It is a performance by Professor Elliott Engel, who presents a light and entertaining talk about the story of how Charles Dickens changed Christmas forever in 1843.

Tickets are free for the 3 p.m. event at the library on Johnson Street. Tickets are available at the library circulation desk.

The New Bern Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Craven County Jaycees, is scheduled for 3 p.m. in downtown. The lineup is at 1 p.m., with representatives from the Craven County Jaycees assigning lineup numbers along Trent Boulevard, from 7th Avenue to Fort Totten Park.

The money raised and toys donated are used to provide a "Here comes Santa" Party for area mentally and physically challenged youth in Craven County.

On the web: cravencountyjaycees.org

The 29th Coastal Christmas Flotilla will begin Saturday in Union Point Park with the New Bern High School Band kicking off the festivities at 5 p.m. followed by the Marine Corps Band at 5:30 p.m.

Nicole Dewar, with New Bern Parks and Recreation, said the flotilla of more than 25 boats will begin at 6 p.m. This year, Santa Claus will arrive behind the flotilla, she said.

Hatteras/CABO and Trident Funding Corp. are the major sponsors of the flotilla this year along with Persimmons Restaurant, Potash, SuddenLink, Courtyard by Marriott and M.J. Bar and Grill.

Anyone who has questions about this year's flotilla may call 639-2902.

The annual open house of bed and breakfasts along Pollock Street in New Bern is Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

It is a free opportunity to take a peek inside New Bern's bed and breakfasts, with tours of the historic homes. The houses are always adored with festive decorations, live Christmas carols, free refreshments and other activities.

The event is organized by The Aerie Bed & Breakfast. Contact Michael Gunhus at 636-5553 or email [email protected]

The Cove City Christmas Parade is Sunday at 3 p.m. An open house for the Cove City-Craven County Public Library is slated after the parade. Call 638-6363.

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