Chilhowee Park aglow with holiday festivities

The city of Knoxville’s annual holiday celebration continues with Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee Park Friday, Dec. 11.

The evening event begins at 6 p.m. Carolers will perform; Santa Claus pose for free photographs. Mrs. Claus will help participants with cookie decorating. Horse-drawn carriages will make trips through the park and around its lake where lighted tree forms float.

Chilhowee will remain lighted and open for self-guided driving tours nightly through New Year’s. The park is located off Interstate 40’s Exit 392 and Magnolia Avenue.

Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee Park is part of the annual Christmas in the City celebration, an overall umbrella of local holiday events. But it’s certainly not the only festive event centered around the season. Others occurring this weekend include:

n Blount Mansion Holiday Open House. The historic home at 200 W. Hill Ave. hosts its annual holiday open house noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The house is adorned with fresh greenery and colonial-styled decorations. Open house includes free tours, music, costumed interpreters and colonial cooking demonstrations.

n 13th annual Walk Through Bethlehem. Church Street United Methodist Church, 900 Henley St. hosts its 13th annual village setting 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Bethlehem is portrayed on the night Jesus was born. Visitors walk through the setting, visiting shops, seeing animals and hearing angels sing.

n The 41st Nativity Pageant of Knoxville tells the story of Jesus 3 p.m. Dec. 13 and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, and Tuesday, Dec. 15. The free narrated pantomime drama with music is at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave.

n See Christmas lights from a bicycle. The third annual Tour de Lights is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. The ride that’s under 6 miles starts at downtown Knoxville’s Krutch Park and tours historic 4th & Gill and Old North Knoxville neighborhoods. Participants must wear helmets; their bikes must have legal lights. Prizes will be given for the best decorated rider, bicycle and helmet. The trip ends at downtown Knoxville’s Mast General Store for hot cocoa and cookies. The tour is sponsored by the store, the city of Knoxville and the Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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