Norris’ Winter Festival kicks off holiday season
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Santa arrives in downtown Norris during Saturday night’s Christmas parade. - G. Chambers Williams III
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A trailer full of kids rides through the parade route in Clinton on Saturday night. - G. Chambers Williams III
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”Candy dumpsters” roll down Main Street giving kids some treats during Saturday night’s Christmas parade in Clinton. - G. Chambers Williams III
Norris kicked off the holiday season in style last Saturday afternoon with the fifth-annual Norris Winter Festival in the downtown area and at Norris Middle School, followed by the Christmas parade at 6 p.m.
A large turnout of residents and guests seemed to be enjoying the many activities of the Winter Festival, which featured live music, crafts, local artisans, cooking demonstrations and more.
At least 40 vendors were on hand, either in the Lions Club Pavilion or lined up under tents around the pavilion and along the sidewalk in front of the middle school.
Visitors stuck around for the parade, which made its way up East Norris Road from Andersonville Highway in time to hit the downtown area at 6 p.m.
The festival provided local entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell food, crafts, books, and more “for our gift-giving and personal enjoyment,” according to the sponsor, the Norris Recreation Commission.
Vendors in the pavilion and throughout the festival area – including the middle school – had a variety of items for sale, along with caramel corn, hot chocolate and cider, cookies, maple syrup, homemade pies, and cupcakes.
Vendors in the middle school’s cafeteria featured homemade candies, chutneys, jams and jellies, beef jerky, baked holiday gifts, and more.
“The Village,” in the Lions Club Pavilion downtown included woodworking and carvings, dog biscuits, crochet, and tatting, 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.
Food trucks were on hand, as well.
Children’s activities included games in front of the middle school; the Kids’ Corner in the Betty Anne Jolly Norris Library; and foods, such as hot dogs, s’mores, popcorn, and candies.
ORNL Federal Credit Union once again sponsored the Winter Festival.