Christmas Town USA – McAdenville, North Carolina
Celebrate the Holiday Cheer With McAdenville Christmas Lights
Nov 5, 2009
The small town of McAdenville, North Carolina is nestled inside Gaston County with a population of about 656 people. What makes this little town so special is that every year from December 1 through December 26, McAdenville turns into Christmas Town USA.
The 2009 season will mark the city's 54th year of being the place that brings happy smiles to children and adults. Upon crossing over the road into McAdenville, visitors are surrounded by holiday merriment and Christmas spirit.
How McAdenville Christmas Town was Started
Back in 1956, a local organization called the McAdenville Men's Club came up with the idea to decorate the town Community Center. More trees were added in subsequent years with help of one of the town's textile employers, Pharr Yarns. A manger scene was also added near the lake to be included with the seasonal festivities. An interesting side note is that residents start preparing as early as summer for the Christmas season.
What to do at Christmas Town
Currently, McAdenville has over 400 holiday trees and hundreds of decorated lampposts on the streets. The lake still has the manger scene but now includes a brightly lit fountain with colored lights and Old Man Winter stands 46 feet tall by the lake. Guests can drive a two-mile trail through the town to see the residents' houses that all have their own unique Christmas theme. There is also a life-like nativity scene complete with life-like carolers and holiday music. Kids will love seeing Santa Claus and his reindeers in town as parents listen to the Christmas bells.
Information About McAdenville Christmas Lights
Christmas Town USA runs annually from December 1 through December 26. The town has an official lightening ceremony on December 1, which kicks off the North Carolina events. On December 18 residents have a Yule Log Parade and Ceremony, an English celebration adopted in honor of William and Catherine Pharr who assisted the residents with creating the McAdenville Christmas Town.
Hours of operation are weeknights from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and weekends from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. It is important to note that the lights are on a timer and will turn off at their scheduled time. The Christmas tour is free and people are allowed to ride the two-mile trail or walk around and look at the holiday decorations. Several restaurants and hotels are nearby so if needed guests can plan to stay the night. One of the local churches, McAdenville Baptist Church, has hot coffee, cocoa and other refreshments on weekends during Christmas Town events. For directions, see http://www.mcadenville-christmastown.com/ctmap.htm.
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