When it comes to the holidays, nothing beats celebrating the season in a small town. The festivities, the warmth of the locals and the atmosphere are so welcoming, setting the mood for a memorable getaway. I had the opportunity to sample some of the holiday happenings in the Old 96 District with my kids, and we all agreed it was a Christmas getaway we won’t forget. Here are some of the activities we enjoyed during our visit.
Attend a Small-Town Parade
While the holiday parades in big cities like New York and Chicago provide entertainment on a grand scale, nothing beats the picture-perfect Christmas parade of a small town. Our first parade was the Abbeville Christmas parade, which featured such locals as the Abbeville High School cheerleaders and homecoming queen, floats from local churches, businesses and organizations, and quite the collection of first-responder vehicles. Plus, they throw out plenty of candy in case the kids ran out of their Halloween stash.
We also attended the McCormick Christmas parade, which featured many of the same local groups as the Abbeville parade. However, what made this one stand out is the city picks a theme for each holiday season. All the holiday events feature this theme. For 2023, the theme was “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” so we saw several floats featuring decorations from the holiday special as well as Snoopy himself walking the parade. We loved every minute of it!
Finish Your Holiday Shopping
If you still need to wrap up your holiday shopping–or maybe get started, you’ll find so many great locally owned shops in the Old 96 District to get what you need (and even what you don’t!). For instance, I always stop by Breezy Quarters in Abbeville to stock up on my favorite hand lotions, lip balms and candles. Owner Paige Bowser uses sustainable ingredients to create natural products that smell wonderful. Some of my favorite scents include “Under the Sea,” “Handpicked Wildflowers” and “Front Porch Sippin.”
We also popped into the Abbeville Vintage Market, where we found the cutest handmade Christmas ornaments. At Deason’s Flowers & Gifts, I picked up an adorable gnome for my niece, while my daughter bought some paper flower bouquets for herself and a friend.
In McCormick, we shopped the Holiday Market at the Dorn Mill Complex, where I picked up some lovely candles from Crafted by Christie, LLC. Another notable stop was the MACK Artisans Guild and Gift Shop, which was filled with locally crafted pottery, jewelry, textiles, fine art cards and more. It’s the perfect spot to pick up something unique.
Take in the Holiday Lights
Nothing sets the mood for the holidays like a display of lights and decorations, and you’ll find plenty of both at the Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries Christmas. Held on the campus of Connie Maxwell Baptist Church in Greenwood, this annual event features a beautiful display of lights that you can drive through each night. But the best way to experience them is on a horse-drawn wagon ride. There’s nothing like listening to the clop of the horse’s feet as the cool breeze brushes your cheek while you gaze at the lights. Even my teens loved it.
Other activities included a petting zoo, a live nativity, performances in the church, photo ops and free hot chocolate. All activities are free; however, they do have donation boxes around the grounds so you can donate whatever you desire. I can see this event easily becoming a treasured family tradition.
Check Out the Seasonal Events
With so many holiday events in the Old 96 District, you’ll easily find several that everyone in your family will enjoy. For instance, both Abbeville and McCormick hosted Cookie Runs, where you purchase a ticket to collect cookies at different businesses around town. Talk about a delicious treat!
If you want to make sure you’re in shape for all those cookies, you can take part in Abbeville’s Reindeer Run, a 5K run through the downtown district. You also can walk the Reindeer Run, or opt for a 1-mile walk/run.
Another not-to-miss event is McCormick’s Festival of Trees held inside the 1898 Grist Mill at the Dorn Mill Complex. Who knew a gristmill would be the perfect backdrop for a winter holiday wonderland? Hosted by the McCormick County Historical Commission, this is a free event visitors of all ages will love.
There truly is so much to see and experience throughout the Old 96 District for the holidays, and my family and I can’t wait to return year after year to experience it all again.
By Karon Warren
