If you’re looking for some family entertainment dressed in holiday style this weekend, you can find it in your own back yard.
Porterdale
Porterdale kicks things off Friday night at 7 p.m. with its annual Christmas parade.
The ever-popular Santa and miniature reindeer will once again take part, and Santa will stay for awhile afterward to greet boys and girls. The Christmas tree and star atop the Porterdale Mill Lofts will also be lit, and those wishing to stay can roast marshmallows around a campfire and enjoy some cocoa.
This year the, Yellow River Preservation and Conservation group will also hold a Christmas Boat Show from 6:30-9:30 p.m., featuring lighted boats and, rumor has it, Santa on a paddleboard.
Covington
The annual Christmas parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The parade will start on Newton Drive, go down Anderson Avenue, and continue onto Floyd Street and through the square before returning to the stadium at Newton Drive.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will also make their usual appearance at the parade. A special feature this year will be the participation of Morgan Steward, a 5-year-old Newton County boy suffering from spinal muscular atrophy who was officially “sworn in” as a police officer Monday at the Covington City Council meeting.
Social Circle
Social Circle will hold its annual tree lighting Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on the lawn of city hall.
You can enjoy the decorations, take a hay ride through the town, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to the community choirs sing carols, and roast some marshmallows with the fire department.
Live Nativity
The Christmas story will come to life as East Newton Baptist Church presents a drama, “Bethlehem, a Live Nativity’’ at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The 35-40 minute outdoor drama will feature a cast of 25 as well as horses, a donkey, sheep and goats. The church is at U.S. Highway 278.
Homes tour
The Satsuki Garden Club of Covington will present its 17th homes tour, the “Candlelight Christmas Tour, from 1-7 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds will benefit club projects, including beautification of the historic square. For details, call 678-342-6498.
