Royston Parade of Lights set for Saturday at 5 p.m.

ROYSTON – The Royston Christmas Parade will highlight this weekend’s public holiday celebrations.

The Parade of Lights will be Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.

Lineup will be on Old Elbert Road, and then the parade will proceed up Highway 17, take a left turn onto Highway 29 and continue to the Dill’s parking lot.

The Royston Christmas Market will precede the parade.

Craftsmen and vendors will sell their wares from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the historic Train Depot in downtown Royston.

As part of the Christmas Market, Connections for Special Parents will ho.ld a raffle for gift boxes that include a variety of items.

Tickets are four for $3 or seven for $5.

Other items on the Franklin County Christmas calendar are:

Boyd Outz Learning Center – Supper with Santa Dec. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the center at the former Lavonia Elementary School. Activities will include a free cake walk, Santa’s Workshop, face painting, a visit with Santa and supper.

Hartwell Service League – Christmas Tour of Homes Dec. 10 from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Six unique homes decorated for the holidays will be featured. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Hart County Chamber of Commerce at 10 South Carolina St. in Hartwell or by calling 706-376-8590 or from any Hartwell Service League member for $20. On the day of the event, tickets may be purchased for $25 at the Hartwell Art Center at 338 East Howell St. or by calling 706-377-2040, from 10 a.m. until noon. Make checks payable to The Hartwell Service League. Proceeds will benefit children’s literacy in Hart County.

New Hope Baptist Church – fourth annual Interactive Live Nativity Dec. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the church at 6731 Mize Road in Toccoa. The “Night in Bethlehem” features live actors and animals depicting the Christmas story. There will also be a fire pit for marshmallow roasting, other refreshments and a children’s story time. The event is free.

Grace Baptist Church – Live Walkthrough Nativity Scene Dec. 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the church at 1283 Grace Baptist Church Road in Royston.

The Journey at Lavonia First Baptist Church – “The Spirit of Christmas,” a musical and dramatic story of the good news of Christmas, Dec. 10 and 11. Service times are 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday evenings and 9:50 a.m. on Sunday morning in the Family Life Center.  The community is invited.

House of Prayer and Deliverance – Christmas candlelight service Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. at the church at 1687 Caney Branch Road in Lavonia. The speaker will be Mary Ann Town, pastor of New Beginning Christian Ministry in Toccoa. There will also be a table of giving. Those attending are asked to bring a gift so that everyone can receive a gift.

Lavonia Carnegie Library – visit from Santa Claus Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. Santa will read a story and hand out gifts.

Northeast Georgia Chapter 1818 of National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) – Christmas Party Dec. 12 at The Point Church beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a catered meal.  All members and prospective members and their families are invited to attend the dutch treat lunch.  Call 706-754-1270 or email mjfarms100@aol.com to make a reservation no later than Dec. 5.  The program will include installation of officers for 2023, seasonal entertainment and an Alzheimer’s Fundraiser for 2022.

Franklin Community Players – “Stories and Songs of Christmas 2022” Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Lavonia Cultural Center. The production, directed by Amy L. Burns, will include a variety of performances by local talent. The Cultural Center is on Augusta Road.

Royston Public Library – visit from Santa Claus Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. Santa will hand out gifts.

Encounter Church – candlelight service Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. at the church at 635 Cook St. in Royston. For more information, call 706-498-6653 or email encounterchurchfc@gmail.com.

City of Franklin Springs – New Year's Eve event Dec. 31 from 5-8 p.m. at Franklin Springs City Hall.