COOLEEMEE — People in and around Cooleemee will get an early Christmas gift Sunday afternoon, says Mayor John Chandler.

Citizens are invited to gather at the Zachary House to sample fudge made by citizens in the community, and when the sampling is over, the samplers will be asked to vote on their favorites by secret ballot.

Other refreshments will include many selections of homemade cookies, punch and coffee.

Local actor John Bennes will recite “The Night Before Christmas” and Earl Lester will read the biblical Christmas story.

The Community Chorus will present selections of Christmas music, and local guitarist Jim Patton will play several selections.

Santa will arrive by fire truck about 3:45 p.m. He will walk around among the crowd, saying a few words to the adults and speaking with the children. The Davie County High School Brass Ensemble will perform a few Christmas specials on the Zachary House lawn, and the crowd will then be served hot chocolate by the youth of the community while they enjoy the music.

Luminaries will also line the street as the group walks from the Zachary House to the Episcopal Church, and people may go inside to view the Nativity and listen to organ music played by Jeannie Taylor and spend some time to reflect if they want to.

And that’s not all.

Just across Cross Street, they can also visit the Mill Family Life Museum and let their children and grandchildren imagine what Christmas was like back in the early 1930s.