By Sterling McGinn
Newberry’s Merry Christmas celebration, featuring a parade, a visit from Santa Claus and a free community dinner is set to take place this Friday, December 2 beginning at 6 p.m.
The event is hosted annually by the Newberry LINK and is sponsored by local businesses.
The celebration will kick off with a Parade of Lights themed parade to usher Santa through Newberry.
The parade begins at 6 p.m. and will proceed from the north end of town, south on Newberry Avenue, to the American Legion. Line-up will take place at 5 p.m. at the TORC complex located directly across from the railroad tracks.
Once the parade ends at the American Legion, the community Christmas tree displayed in the front lawn of the American Legion will be lit at approximately 6:15 p.m. The Newberry Area Ministerial Association will perform carols as Santa comes down the street, and the lights are lit. Anyone who would like to participate in the Christmas caroling can call Pastor Melinda VanderSys at (906) 291-0897.
From 7 to 9 p.m., a free community dinner featuring ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and cookies will be served in the big hall of the American Legion. Santa and the Grinch will be present in the hall.