Fun, fellowship, food and great deals to be found at annual holiday festival

Thaw out the bird and break out the holly, the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce's Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival launches into overdrive Saturday, December 1.

In addition to the 2007 Lincolnton Holiday Parade, which starts at 4:30 p.m., other activities scheduled for the day include:

.. Extended shopping hours, sales, special promotions, open houses, and drawings sponsored by various merchants in town. Among those offering fabulous sales and extended shopping hours are B & J Appliance & Signs, Radio Shack, and Goldman & Wengrow. Moreover, an open house will be held at the Wilkes Telephone & Electric Company from 12 until 4 p.m., complete with refreshments and door prizes.

.. The Lincoln County Library Winter Festival, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library (FOL), the festival will feature face painting, a mega book sale, and food, including homemade chicken and dumplings, spaghetti, "Dime Store Hotdogs," baked goods, and soft drinks.

There is also the possibility that everybody's favorite elf may drop by for a visit.

.. Photos with Santa.

From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Santa Claus will be at Koehler Galleries to have his picture made with the children of the community.

"I'm very excited about visiting with the folks in Lincolnton on Saturday," stated Mr. Claus in a telephone interview from his home at the North Pole. "I hope the weather is nice and warm, and that the whole town will turn out to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season."

.. Entertainment.

Beginning at 1 p.m., there will be plenty of entertainment on a special stage built by Moon Contracting in front of the Lincoln County Veterinary Services office on Main Street.

The performers include Newberry Baptist Church's Young Disciples, Lincoln County Family Connection, Fancy Footworks, Debbie McLeod, the First Assembly of God Sanctuary Choir, the Cox Family, Distant Cousins, Stephen Rayner, Shannon Cox, and Jennifer Henderson.

The sound will be provided by Kenny Adair.

.. Crafters, food venders, and other attractions will be found throughout the city. The list includes:

North Peachtree Street - Say It With Silver: sterling silver and high fashion jewelry, pocketbooks; Paradise BBQ: barbecue, funnel cakes, boiled peanuts, pork rinds, onion rings, corn dogs, soft drinks; the Lincoln County Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS): information concerning foster care and food stamps.

Southern Siding & Window Company: information booth; Michael Milford: holiday wreaths and centerpieces; Four Dog Pottery: pottery, Georgia Bulldog and Red Devil items; Patsy Elam: candied apples and baked goods; Double Branches Baptist Church: barbecued chicken plates and baked goods; Personally Yours: handmade bags and Georgia Bulldog items (monogramming on site).

The Concerned Citizens of Lincoln County: information booth; Courtney Thornton: hand-painted items such as bags, clipboards, and bulletin boards; Linda's Basketcase: jewelry, handbags, hats, sunglasses, gift bags; and Newberry Baptist Church: hamburgers, sausage dogs, chips.

Main Street - Irene Bryant: jewelry, toys, pocketbooks, hats, and more; Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Office: information booth; Get Personal Embroidery: embroidered items and Red Devil items; B & J Appliance & Signs: Red Devil magnets, cups, and other items; Shirley Pinkston: Tupperware; Toni and Alan Makowsky: country crafts, yard art, woodworking items.

The Sisters With Helping Hands Ministry: hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, soft drinks; the Lincoln County Historical Society: freshly ground grits and lights for the Tree of Remembrance; Window World of the CSRA: information booth; Lincoln County Family Connection: turkey legs, chicken wings, French fries, sausage dogs, funnel cakes; and New Work Baptist Church: baked goods.

.. The chamber gift drawing for a $100 LincolnCHECK at 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

To enter the drawing, shoppers must turn in receipts, valued at $5 or more, from purchases made Saturday at any business in the county owned and/or operated by a chamber member. The receipts must show the name of the business as well as the signature of the sales clerk.

Since the streets will be closed for most of the day, visitors are asked to park at the following locations: Lincolnton Presbyterian Church, the Lincoln County Farm Bureau office, Farmers & Merchants Bank, the Lincoln Loan Company, Powell & Associates, Wright & Jones Funeral Home, the chamber of commerce office, Farmers State Bank, Dr. Gregory Griffin's office, Maxway, Lincolnton Baptist Church, Clark Hill Rentals, the State Farm Insurance office, Lincolnton United Methodist Church, the Lincoln County Courthouse, Commercial Insurance Services, The Lincoln Center, and the Lincoln County Health Department (handicapped parking only).

Those who have difficulty getting around may also take advantage of the chamber's shuttle service, courtesy of Club Car of Augusta. Serving as shuttle pick-up points are State Farm Insurance, Lincolnton Baptist Church, Commercial Insurance Services, and the health department.

Vendors are asked to park at LCMS/LCHS.

To top off the day, a tree lighting ceremony, featuring Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a few well-loved Christmas carols, will be held on the courthouse lawn from 6:30 until 7 p.m. Then, at 7 p.m., the skies will be filled with fireworks to usher in the Christmas season.

In her comments, Nancy Hohlwein, chamber president, cordially invited everyone to come out and enjoy a day filled with fun, food, fellowship, entertainment, and great bargains.

She went on to request that Bell's Food Market customers enter the parking lot from Ward Avenue. A portion of the lot will be designated for downtown shoppers.

In other remarks, Hohlwein expressed her appreciation to the sponsors who helped made the festival possible. They are: Jeff and Sheri Easter, Farmers State Bank, the Georgia Power Company, Club Car, Inc.

J & T Service Center, Commercial Insurance Services, Inc., Fast Times Convenience Store, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Hardee's, Papa's Pizza, Cliatt Crossing Convenience Store, the Rayle Electric Membership Corporation.

Whitestone Utility Services, Inc., Soap Creek Marina, Lee Builders, Inc., H & H Industrial Maintenance, Inc., Dr. Greg Griffin, Powell & Associates, Inc., the Wilkes Telephone & Electric Company, and Radio Shack of Lincolnton.

Al Danner and Stella Crosby are serving as co-chairmen of the chamber's Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Committee.

For more information about the holiday festival, contact the chamber of commerce at 706-359-7970.