Christmas will officially arrive in Hawkins County this weekend, and continues into the next, as area towns  begin to ring in the Christmas season.  Surgoinsville, Rogersville and Bulls Gap lead the way this weekend with their parades and tree lightings.  Church Hill and Mount Carmel will follow next weekend.  
There schedules and information are listed below.

Surgoinsville

Surgoinsville will kick off the day with its Christmas Parade, sponsored by Surgoinsville Volunteer Fire Department. 
According to organizer Landon Pruitt, line up will begin at 10 a.m. at the Surgoinsville First United Methodist Church, located on Old Stage Rd.  The parade will begin at 11 a.m., following Old Stage to Main Street and will end back at the church.  Pruitt said local school bands, including Volunteer High School, as well as local ROTC units, the Shriners, and area fire departments will be part of the event.  He also said anyone who would like to bring their tractor to the parade is encouraged.

Grand marshals for the Surgoinsville Christmas Parade will be Mickey Houston and wife, Susan.

For more information, call Surgoinsville Town Hall at (423) 345-2213.

Rogersville

Rogersville Christmas Parade will soon follow, at 4 p.m., with the theme "The Joy of Christmas."  
Sponsored by the Rogersville / Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce, line up for the parade will begin at at Rogersville Middle School on the corner of East Main Street and Warrior Street and the parade will end at Armstrong Road.

Grand marshal for the Rogersville Parade will be former First District State Senator Mike Faulk.

The town tree lighting will follow on the Town Square at 5 p.m.

Bulls Gap

While the Bulls Gap Christmas Parade will not be held until Sunday, Dec. 2, the town's annual tree lighting will also be held this Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. at the Archie  Campbell House, beside Bulls Gap City Hall. 

Following the tree lighting ceremony, refreshments will be served in the Bulls Gap Community Center.  Singing will be provided by the Bewley's and the Overhome Boys.


On Sunday, the celebration continues in Bulls Gap with the annual  Christmas Parade beginning at 2 p.m.

Lineup will begin at Bulls Gap School at 12:30 p.m.  Prizes will be awarded for floats.  The parade route will be the same as previous years, starting at the school and traveling on Wayland Blvd., North Main St. (Hwy. 66), Hwy. 11E, Woodbine Ave. and ending back at the school. 
For more information, call Bulls Gap Town Hall at (423) 235-5216.

Church Hill

The following weekend, on Saturday, Dec. 8, Church Hill Christmas Parade will continue county wide festivities beginning at 11 a.m.  Line up will begin at 10 a.m., at Church Hill Public Library (behind Church Hill Shopping Center).

This year's theme for the Church Hill Parade will be "A Time for Togetherness."
Prizes will be awarded for floats in first, second and third places, as well as first and second places for antique automobiles.

Grand marshal for the Church Hill Christmas Parade will be local businessman Dan DeWald, recognized for this service to the community.

The parade will make its way west on Main Boulevard and end at Church Hill Healthcare and Rehab Center, where Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Mayor Dennis Deal and other city board members will visit with residents there.

Participants who plan to have their float or classic vehicle judged in the Church Hill Parade are asked to register at City Hall.

For more information, call (423) 357-6161.

Mount Carmel

Also on Saturday, Dec. 8, the Mount Carmel Christmas Parade will begin at 4 p.m. with line up beginning at Hardee's on Main Street at 3 p.m.  Grand marshals for the Mount Carmel Parade will be Hawkins County District One Commissioners Sybil Vaughn Trent, Dwight Carter and Thomas Wheeler.
Registration for the Mount Carmel Christmas Parade is requested and forms may be picked up at city hall.  For more information, call (423) 357-7311.