By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS ó Light displays, train and carriage rides and several appearances from Santa will highlight the Christmas season in Kannapolis this year.
The illuminated evening Christmas parade will march through the streets of the Williamsburg-inspired Village starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the N.C. Research Campus.
But first, the city will kick off the holidays at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Village Park with a tree lighting, immediately followed by the opening night of the Celebration of Lights and the Winterland Express Train.
The tree lighting will feature holiday music by the Piedmont Singing Men and the A.L. Brown Marching Wonder Band, as well as children’s crafts and refreshments as the trees in Village Park are lit one by one.
Stay for a visit with Santa afterwards.
Then, visitors can stroll through Village Park to take in the many holiday light displays throughout the grounds. The Celebration of Lights will run from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on the following dates:
– Dec. 6 (following the tree lighting)
– Dec. 7
– Dec. 11-14
– Dec. 18-23
– Dec. 26-28
On the same dates, the Winterland Express Train will offer rides through the park. Train rides are $1 for children and $2 for adults.
Take in the Celebration of Lights from the train with a special guest on Dec. 13 and 20, when Santa will join the fun.
Santa train rides will run every 30 minutes from 6 to 9 p.m. and cost $3 per person. The price includes a reserved ticket and a make-and-take activity.
The Village will host several other seasonal events, including the Holiday Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday.
Organizers will move the market inside the Old Cabarrus Bank Building on West Avenue. Shoppers can expect fruits, vegetables, jewelry, jams and jellies, cakes and candles, Christmas décor, canned goods, live greenery, homemade soups and more.The Village will offer old-fashioned carriage rides from 2 to 4:30 p.m. today, Saturday and Dec. 6, 13 and 20. On the same days, children can bring their wish list to Santa when he visits the Village from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.