Holiday Festivals bring out big crowds

December 13, 2023 by G. Chambers Williams III

Despite gloomy skies and the threat of rain, large crowds showed up on Saturday for both the annual Holiday Market and Cookie Crawl in Historic Downton Clinton, and the second-annual Norris Winter Festival.

In downtown Clinton, the streets and stores were jammed with people virtually all day long, as visitors came from all over to Christmas shop in the downtown antique stores.

Besides the stores being chock full of gift ideas, there also were dozens of street vendors, food trucks and more, with the event running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Then from 1-4 p.m., downtown Clinton merchants presented their annual Cookie Crawl, featuring free cookies and other refreshments in the stores, along with visits from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and The Grinch.

“The turnout has been tremendous,” Donna Raines, owner of Burrville Antiques on Market Street, said about 1 p.m. “People have come from all over Tennessee and Kentucky to attend.”

Just a few miles away, the annual Norris Winter Festival was held in the downtown commons area and at Norris Middle School from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, followed by the Norris Christmas parade at 6 p.m.

The Norris Winter Festival featured music, crafts, local artisans, and more. At least 40 vendors are expected.

This event provided local entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell food, crafts, books, and more “for our gift-giving and personal enjoyment,” according to its promoters. The festival is sponsored by the Norris Recreation Commission.

“Candy Land” vendors served caramel corn, hot chocolate and cider, cookies, maple syrup, homemade pies, and cupcakes inside the Norris Middle School Cafeteria.

Vendors there featured homemade candies, chutneys, jams and jellies, beef jerky, baked holiday gifts, and more.

“The Village,” in the Lions Club Pavilion in front of the middle school, featured woodworking and carvings, dog biscuits, jewelry, bird food and feeders, leather items, handmade pottery, aromatherapy products, herbal remedies, crocheted rugs, bath and body products, baby items, and handcrafted goat milk soaps.

There were also wreaths and Christmas ornaments, including plushies and felted wool ornaments, available in The Village.

Former Norris resident Catie Toennisson featured wildlife watercolor paintings, prints, children’s books, and stickers; Deana Bean Charcalla returned with children’s books; and Norris native author David Peters was on hand signing his book, “Little Boy Lost.”

Jay Miller presented music beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the Lil Stars Cheer Team.

ORNL Federal Credit Union once again sponsored the Winter Festival and was giving away items at its booth in The Village.