As of this date, December 12th, 2024, there are only 19 days left in the year, and the holiday season and events are in full swing. We have already seen the events of the iconic, annual Blairsville Christmas Parade, the Jingle Bell Buys, and the 14th annual Union County Farmer’s Market Kris Kringle Market pass us by. However, with less than 2 weeks before Christmas gets here and 20 days until the new year arrives, there are still other events taking place that you can attend and enjoy! These events vary from shopping to Christmas lights to tree farms to sporting events. Surely, at least one of these may catch your eye or if nothing else, gives you a range of options to choose from!

 

 

Glenda’s Christmas Light Show

 

I may be biased on this one, mostly because it is named in honor of my sister, and I also partially helped my dad put rearrange and put up some of the lights that are part of this display, but I promise that bias or no bias, this is a light show display that WILL NOT disappoint you or be a waste of your time by any means! From light displays of Santa’s Workshop to lit up candy canes down the driveway to a Nativity scene to Santa driving his 57′ convertible and even to a helicopter on top of the house and many, many more light scenes, this is a light house display DECKED OUT with the Christmas lights! And the best part? You don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy it and can take as many loops through the driveway as you’ like to! Do please keep in mind, though, that this is a private residence, so, limiting your noise and giving privacy and respect is asked and expected of you if you do pull through! As for the reason that this light show is named for my sister, it stems from her Christmas miracle story that happened way back in 1993. Ever since this story happened and she received her heart(This video in this link is a bit blurry at times and not the most clear, but gives everyone a chance to look into the life of my sister, and even WSB-TV news footage that includes her story being told, which also includes Pam Martin and Monica Kaufmann!-News footage begins at the 8:47 mark if you’d like to fast forward), Christmas is especially one of those holidays that has taken on an extremely important meaning for our family, and this is one way of remembering it, and Glenda, especially since it has been a few years since we held the Glenda Gooch Foundation Christmas Party! This is not the only Christmas light show in Union County to enjoy, however, as there is also Christmas on Hicks Gap, Gwynn’s Christmas Light Show, and the Hyde Family Light Show that also give a beautiful light show!

 

 

Christmas Cookie Crawl

This upcoming Saturday, December 14th, will mark what I believe is the first ever Downtown Blairsville Christmas Cookie Crawl, as I have never heard of it before, but with 12 gourmet cookies included, it sounds like a pretty appetizing event to take part in! From what I have read, what you can expect from this event is eating, shopping, and of course, “being merry” with 12 different merchants in Downtown Blairsville! Of course, there is more to know than just that! The event starts at 11 A.M.(You must check in by at least 1 P.M.!) when you will need to go to Blairsville City Hall to grab your map, passport, and exclusive tote bag! You will have until 3 P.M. to go enjoy this event and to go see each of the 12 merchants included(who will each have a gourmet cookie waiting for you!). Participants of this event have the chance to win a $100 shopping spree when they receive a passport stamp at each of the 12 merchants and turn their passports in at their last stops. At the end of the day, there will be a drawing held where one lucky winner will win a gift card to shop at the Downtown Blairsville merchant of their choice! Tickets for this event cost just $20 per person! Keep in mind, there are only 200 tickets available for this event, so be sure to get what tickets you can for you and your friends while they are still there! Tickets are available on Eventbrite!

 

Shop Til You Drop!

Most locals already know that there are plenty of shopping options available in Downtown Blairsville and Union County, but those who are visiting may not! The past few Christmases, I have spent my time shopping in Union County, although, I now live in Atlanta, and truly, I can still say that I felt that “I did good” for those that I shopped for(even as a dude)! Last year, I spent my shopping dollars at Alexander’s Store(A MUST VISIT! Speaking for men, most places I’ll mention below will mostly be for women, but this store has PLENTY of good options for men, including guns!) and at Pat’s Hallmark Shop(Another MUST VISIT that also came in clutch and had great options, PLUS Christmas gift wrapping available on site!), and of course, I did it pretty last minute with all of the real estate exam studying I did, but there was still plenty of great presents to and deals to choose from! Had I had more time, I would have went to plenty of other stores as well, but I just didn’t have the time! Had I had more time, here are a few other locations that I would have tried out(Keep in mind, I know more about some than others, so don’t take offense if I don’t write as much about your store as others. Also, if yours is not included and you would like it to be, remember that I can always edit and add to this blog, but you have to let me know!):

Keen Creations and Co.(Sharon, owner of the store, is truly blessed with some of the very best vendors in town! She herself is one of the very best and most friendly merchants in town in my very own humble opinion! She also has helped partake in the Gooch & Fifty Trivia and Rewards, so she is one of those that I definitely owe my gratitude and support for! So if not for yourself, do it for me and go give this awesome lady some business and show her some love! Her store offers everything from handcrafted goods to locally inspired T-shirts(Including some of Gooch & Fifty’s) to candles to sorghum syrup to magnets to cute wall decor to vintage, farmhouse, and repurposed decor and furniture and much, much more!

The Emporium(What to shop for: Antiques, clothes, and more)

Sunflowers On The Square(What to shop for: Antique furniture, custom made dining tables, benches, home decor, jewelry, and more)

Jenny Rebeccas(Ladies fashions, furnishings, florals, vintage finds, seasonal decor, and more)

Sharons Fashions(Clothing, Jewelry, purses, and more)

The Hive & The Farmhouse(Farmhouse Decor, antiques, primitive home decor, local arts and crafts, repurposed furniture, grunge flannel, all natural items, and more)

Ambry’s Attic(vintage and antique furniture, art, jewelry, and more)

Farmer’s Daughter(Local crafts, home decor, unique gifts, and more)

Junebug’s Consignment Cottage(Consignment and boutique gifts)

The Josephine(Women’s clothing, jewelry, furniture, home decor, and more)

Again, if I left you off of this list, it is out of no harm or ill intention, I simply just couldn’t keep track of them all. Again, message me and let me know if you’d like to be added!

 

 

Go buy a Christmas Tree at the Southern Tree Plantation!

Typically, they usually have the Christmas at the Southern Tree Plantation which has also passed us by, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still have time to possibly go grab yourself up one of their beautifully grown Christmas trees to put into your own home! Truly, the trees do make for great Christmas trees and I know of plenty of people who have come from far and wide to grab one of their own! I am talking people from the Atlanta area and even out of state! For someone who first came here as a kid for a field trip, I have fond memories here, but it has been quite some time since I have went back. What I remember most are of course the trees, the hayrides, and the farm animals. I am not 100% sure if these things are still happening and/or available anymore, but if they are, it is something kids would love and enjoy! I also remember attending a wedding here, which I know for a fact that they still do! If you are one of those in town for the holidays and looking for a great spot for your own wedding, then I encourage you to stop by here!

 

 

Vogel State Park Christmas Tree Lighting

Hopefully, you aren’t just scrolling through this article just looking at the events and telling yourself you already know to go for each event without reading, because unlike the other years, Vogel State Park’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be at MEEKS PARK and NOT at Vogel State Park due to the construction currently going on and because of the lack of parking. I myself still have this as an event that I would like to one day go to, but I will wait until it returns back to where it belongs for the TRUE Vogel State Park Christmas Tree Lighting. That is just my personal preference though, and if I still thought it wouldn’t be worth it, I wouldn’t post about it. So, please, do not let my personal preference sway you from going as there is actually a lot for this event to still offer this year at Meeks Park(At the Conley Pavilion)! This event is FREE of charge, plus it will include hot chocolate, hot cider, cookies, children’s crafts, and SANTA! The event will be this Saturday, December 14th, and will be starting at 4 P.M., with the lighting of the tree will beginning at 5:30! Get on out there and enjoy yourselves and be sure to dress accordingly for the weather!

 

 

30th Annual Battle of the States Basketball Tournament(Towns County High School)

Sometimes, there is more to the holiday season to enjoy than just visits with Santa, shopping, gifts, treats, and Christmas lights. If you’re a sports fanatic like I am, one of my very favorite things to watch this time of year is BASKETBALL! And although this specific event isn’t necessarily in Union County, two of some of the most watched Union County sports teams are headed over to Hiawassee, with one(Boys Basketball) trying to defend their crown as the defending Battle of the States Champions! As a former player for Union County(Who might I add helped my team bring home a BOTS Championship back myself, as well as got selected twice to the All-Tournament Team!), I can say that this is such a FUN and exciting tounament to watch! For 3 days, 8 teams(16 really since both boys and girls play) from multiple different states compete for the sole title in the beautiful Towns County High School Gymnasium. From day 1, the competition is fierce and intense, and the fans are always into each game with passion. It gets loud and it gets exciting. Many teams from the past have proven to be some of the very best in their states as many have gone onto finish deep into their own state tournaments. So, if you are a basketball fan that doesn’t know what to do with yourself after Christmas has passed, mark your calendars off for the dates of December 27th-29th for the 30th annual Battle of the States Tournament! If you are a Union County Panthers fan, get loud, get proud, and help be the 6th man on the court that helps both teams bring home the championships!

 

 

Living Water Vineyard NYE Black & White Casino Night

Some of you may be thinking “enough of Christmas events already!”, and if you are, I understand! That’s when the New Years Eve events come to the forefront and the only one that I will have on this list(Unless others inquire) is going to be one that you don’t want to miss! As if Living Water’s wine, beer, ciders, food trucks, live music, and views aren’t enough to make you want to go visit them, then consider adding Blackjack, Russian Roulette, Craps, and Texas Hold’Em to the mix! Last year was the first time that this event took place and it turned out to be a hit! Not only are the games great, the food and snack options from last year sounded great too! This year, I can only assume that it will be even better, but if you want to go, you’re going to have buy your tickets soon! Tickets this year are only $85($40 cheaper than last year!) and the event starts NYE at 7 P.M. and ends at Midnight! If you are under 21, you must be accompanied by your parent or legal guardian! Be sure to bring your best luck and your best dress and/or suit for this fun event at Living Water!