Fort Mill Christmas Parade (file photo)

Fort Mill has released details on two upcoming Christmas events, including the Lighting of the Tree and Christmas Parade!

The Fort Mill Christmas Village and the Lighting of the Tree take place on Thursday, Dec. 1. The event will be held from 5-8:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Fort Mill Amphitheater at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street.

Activities include the lighting of the new 50-foot Town Christmas Tree in the park, and performances from school choirs, dance teams and a variety of entertainment. The Christmas Village includes vendors, trackless trains and kids’ activities, and the sale of food and drinks from food trucks. Santa will also be there for children to enjoy the North Pole experience to get their photo taken.

Fort Mill is moving the event to Walter Elisha Park this year, but the Downtown area will still feature its annual holiday lights, trees and decorations.

On Saturday, Dec. 3, the 75th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade will make its way through downtown Fort Mill beginning at 11 a.m.

This year’s Grand Marshals will lead the parade, beginning at Tom Hall and Unity Street, traveling through Main Street and North White Street in Historic Downtown Fort Mill and exiting at Walter Elisha Park.

The parade features local schools, officials, churches, businesses, scouts, queens and of course, Santa and more! Filming of the parade for Comporium Channel 705 takes place in front of the Fort Mill Fire Station at 121 Tom Hall Street. Emcees David Ward and Alicia Barnes will announce each entry as it passes by this location.

Parade Judges will pick winners for Best Car, Best Golf Cart, Best Walking Group, Best Christmas Theme, Most Holiday Spirit and Most Creative.

Greg "Ricky Bobby" Rickabaugh has lived in the Fort Mill and York County community since 2006. He has covered the area while a reporter for The Charlotte Observer and a freelance writer for The Fort Mill...