FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Director of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org
Downtown Oneonta to Host Christmas Festivities
Decatur, Ala. (November 1, 2023) – The heart of Oneonta is getting into the holiday spirit with a host of activities planned for everyone to enjoy next month. The festivities begin Dec. 7, 2023, and include horse drawn carriage rides, holiday lights, visits with Santa, parades and lots of Christmas cheer.
Beautifully decorated Christmas trees will be lit Thursday, Dec. 7 at the community Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the gazebo area. The ceremony takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. and includes horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, holiday music, festive firetruck rides by the Oneonta fire department, snow and a live performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by Art Alive Children’s Theatre. The lighting countdown will commence at 6 p.m. and trees will be illuminated 24 hours a day through Jan. 1, 2024. The gazebo is located at 1st Avenue East and 4th Street, in front of the angel wings mural.
Shoppers are encouraged to have their shopping lists prepared and make their way downtown Saturday, Dec. 9 for the City Christmas Market. Various vendors will be set up at the McDaniel Gym from 4 to 7 p.m. The third annual Christmas Creatures Parade will take place at 6 p.m. beginning at the library parking lot and down 1st Avenue East to the Gazebo. All proceeds are donated to the Blount County Animal Adoption Center & Crossing Paths Animal Rescue. Horse-drawn carriages will also be available for free rides through downtown Oneonta from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Blount County Christmas parade takes to the streets Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The streets of Oneonta this night will be filled with marching bands from all over the county, creative floats and more.
More shopping opportunities are available Dec. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. during the Christmas in Oneonta night at the gazebo area. Restaurants will be open and there will be free horse-drawn carriage rides, free live back to back performances of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by Art Alive Children’s Theater (located at the angel wings mural), snow and Santa Claus will be available in the gazebo for photos.
For more information including a complete schedule of holiday activities, visit https://www.oneontabusinessassociation.com/christmas.html or call 205-813-7194.
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About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.3 billion North Alabama travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, golf courses, restaurants, accommodations and vendors. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381, by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and by following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.
