BY DEBBIE PAGE
Troutman Parks and Recreation staff is getting settled into their newly refurbished facility at the ESC Park entrance and hopes to welcome the public to a ribbon cutting in the next few weeks.
In addition to staff offices and storage, the building also will feature a community room for arts and crafts events and other types of gatherings as well, according to Director Emily Watson.
The Town of Troutman and several community organizations have several traditional holiday events planned in the next few weeks, including a new one borne out of the success of the Halloween costume swap in October.
NEW HOLIDAY TOY SWAP
Watson invites community members to bring in any unwanted, clean, like-new, gently used toys with no missing parts to Town Hall by Wednesday, December 6, to be eligible for the Holiday Toy Swap on Saturday, December 9, between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will allow participating community members to “shop” for “new to them” items.
The toy swap works like this. Each donated toy will be given a ticket value. Each person will then be allotted five tickets to shop for free with when they arrive on December 9.
Participants can place their donated items in a bin in the main lobby at Town Hall. All toys will be sanitized and cleaned by volunteers before shopping day. Please do not donate car seats, electrical items, baby slings, or baby formula.
Watson said toy swaps are a great way to bring people together and to remind everyone that what may be waste to one person may be happily reused by somebody else, which means less useful stuff ending up in the landfill.
“It also means less out of your pocket since it is estimated that in the U.S. the average family spends $600 per year per child on toys,” added Watson.
Contact brittneyclark1024@gmail.com or Troutman Parks and Recreation at 704-528-7600 (Ext. 3) with questions.
TREE LIGHTING NOVEMBER 30
The town’s annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting will be at Troutman ESC Park (338 North Ave) on Thursday, November 30, at 6 p.m. Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided by the Ruritan Club of Troutman.
Local school groups will singing be festive tunes to ring in the holidays, and Santa will arriving for pictures and to hear Christmas wishes.
Food trucks will also be on site to purchase coffee, donuts, and other items. Parking is available at Troutman ESC Park for this free event.
ROTARY PANCAKE BREAKFAST DECEMBER 2
The annual pre-parade Rotary Club of Troutman Pancake Breakfast with Santa is at a new location this year, the South Iredell High School cafeteria, on Saturday, December 2, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The all-you-can-eat breakfast features pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.
Entertainment will be provided by the South Iredell High School chorus and orchestra.
Proceeds from the event will go to the South Yadkin Baptist Association “Toy Store for Jesus” and other children within the community.
If interested in becoming a sponsor for the event, contact the Rotary Club at troutmanrotaryclub@gmail.com or message them on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TroutmanRotary.
TROUTMAN CHRISTMAS PARADE DECEMBER 2
The annual Troutman Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 2, at 11 a.m. along Eastway Drive. The parade begins at the Career Academy School (350 Old Murdock Road), travels Old Murdock Road, turns left onto Eastway Drive, and ends at Troutman Baptist Church.
Parade attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to place on the Marine Corps Toys for Tots truck at the end of the parade or drop them by Town Hall during normal business hours prior to parade day.
If interested in participating as an entry, click the link (https://www.troutmannc.gov/index.asp) and submit your information by November 25.
The parade has no entry fee, but the town asks that participants consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to the Toys for Tots program. Toys can be brought on parade day or dropped it off at Town Hall beforehand.
Contact ewatson@troutmannc.gov with any questions.
SOUTH IREDELL HIGH CRAFT BAZAAR SET FOR DECEMBER 2
The South Iredell Holiday Bazaar Craft Show will be on Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community can support local vendors that will be selling the perfect gifts for this holiday season before or after the parade.
If interested in being a vendor, contact Ethan Holland (ethan_holland@iss.k12.nc.us).
DRIVE THRU LIVE NATIVITY PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 7-9
The community is invited to get into the true meaning of Christmas at the annual Troutman Drive-Thru Nativity.
This free event takes place at the Iredell County Fairgrounds (630 North Main Street) each night from Thursday, December 7, through Saturday, December 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. (Weather permitting.)
Attendees will drive through 26 scenes from the life of Christ along the fairgrounds track, experiencing the sights and sounds of Bethlehem with 150 cast members and live animals.
If community members are interested in joining the cast, the event has many roles to be filled, including some acting scenes that include walking, standing, and sitting.
Children must be at least five years old or in kindergarten or above to participate. If not with children in a scene, parents must ask a responsible adult to look after them.
To sign up, visit online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4aa8ad2ca1f49-live?useFullSite=true#/.
If questions, contact Marcia Perrell at 704-640-6229 (leave a message if no answer).
JINGLE RUN 5K DECEMBER 10
The Jingle Run 5k/Walk is a festive, family-friendly run that will take place on Sunday, December 10, at 3 p.m. through the Town of Troutman, starting at Troutman Town Hall (400 N. Eastway Drive)
Participants are asked to dress up in their most creative, colorful holiday outfits to bring out the fun on the holiday season.
This race will be officially timed race by McLelland Racing Team (MRT). Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Troutman/JingleRunorWalk or in person at Town Hall.
The cost is $20 per person, which includes a finishers medal and T-shirt. Register by November 30 to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
There is an optional early packet pickup on Friday, December 8, from 12 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
The event is stroller friendly, but please use caution.
The town asks that participants consider donating a new toy or personal care item on race day for My Sister’s House to support its holiday season needs.
My Sister’s House Christmas Wishlist: Pajamas (all sizes for women and children), women’s slippers, robes, scarves, mittens, toboggans, blankets, throws, and new unwrapped toys for all ages.
My Sister’s House Ongoing Needs: Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues), cleaning supplies, OTC cold and flu medication, shampoo & conditioner sets, bottled water, juice boxes, soda, dark-colored towels, washcloths, and dish towels.
Contact ewatson@troutmannc.gov with any questions.