BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
Starke’s Christmas on Call Street will feature all the classic holiday charm along with some new things to celebrate — not the least of which is a beautiful new Christmas tree downtown.
The lighting of that tree will be a centerpiece of the first night of the three-day event, which kicks off at 6 p.m. next Friday, Dec. 9. (Vendors begin setting up at 3 p.m. that day.)
The Downtown Square is the place to be when the live music begins. Christmas light tours are returning, but in a new form. Funtastic Fire Brigade, one of this year’s event sponsors, will be offering the tours atop a fire engine. Bring the whole family or a group of friends to check that out. Tours begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue every 15 minutes. (Limit of 12 per tour.)
Local officials will be on hand for the Christmas tree lighting, which is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., and the seasonal magic continues at 7 p.m. with the Call Street Christmas Choir and a live nativity at the concert pavilion in the square.
Live entertainment resumes and continues throughout the day on Saturday, Dec. 10. The day begins at 10 a.m., and vendors will be set up for shopping and refreshments. Bounce houses will be up by 11 a.m. A car show is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Live entertainers include Jaelyn Jackson, Lee Ann Purvis, Starke Dance Academy and more.
Then as the sun sets and evening settles in, Starke’s annual Christmas Parade will light up Call Street, with entries from local schools, churches, businesses and community groups. The parade lines up at the Starke ER and travels through historic downtown, moving west down Call Street, looping around the college to Jackson Street, and ending at the city parking lot.
Each year, the parade brings the arrival of Santa Claus, and both he and Mrs. Claus will be at the Downtown Square following the parade for photos.
Sunday morning, Dec. 11, ends the celebration with Santa Breakfast at The Downtown Grill beginning at 8 a.m. Reservations are required for this event, so be sure to call 904-964-9253. Breakfast is $10 per person. Bring your own camera for Santa photos.
Christmas on Call Street sponsors include the city of Starke, Starke Downtown Merchants, North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce and Funtastic Fire Brigade.
Christmas Gala features brass band and choir
Faith Presbyterian Church at Midway has a Christmas Gala on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. with a brass band playing carols and a choir cantata, “Christmas Presence.” There will be refreshments after the music and a display of nativities from around the world. All are welcome.
