This year’s holiday season in Madison County offers a wide range of events, including parades, concerts, craft fairs, feasts and a visit or two from Santa Claus.

Festivities jump into full swing next week with a pair of parades, one in Richmond, the other in Berea.

The Richmond Holiday Parade, presented by the City of Richmond, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday on Lancaster Avenue and Main Street.

This year’s theme is “Celebration of 200 years.” Floats will represent schools, civic organizations, churches and businesses/industries.

A prize of $100 will be awarded to the first-place float.

Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance on the final float, which is being provided by the Richmond Fire Department.

On Dec. 5, the Berea Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 24th Annual Twilight Christmas Parade.

“All the lighting on our floats is what makes our parade unique,” said David Rowlette, executive director of the Berea Chamber of Commerce. “I hope to have a good crowd.”

The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Chestnut Street.

This year’s theme is “The Miracle of Christmas.”

Floats will represent one of three categories: businesses, churches and non-profit organizations.

The winning float in each category will receive $200. Those winners will be announced in front of the Boone Tavern College Square area.

Registration to enter a float in the parade is still open for a $20 fee.



Madison County Christmas and Holiday Events

Dec. 1

• Dinner and a movie at the Madison County Public Library, Richmond, 6 p.m. The film will be “Santa Buddies,” rated G, 88 minutes. Make your own pizza and enjoy a free movie on the big screen with surround sound. For details, call 623-6704.

• Berea B&PW; dinner and Rudolph auction, Boone Tavern; optional dinner, $19, 6 p.m.; auction 7-9 p.m. For details, call 625-9607.



Dec. 3

• Richmond Woman’s Club Christmas luncheon, Arlington House, 11:30 a.m.



Dec. 4-5

• Berea College annual Christmas concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Union Church in Berea. Admission is free. Tickets are available Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alumni Building Front Desk and the Union Church office. Tickets also may be ordered online at the Music Department Web page on the Berea College Web site. For details, call 985-3466.

• “Victorian Christmas at White Hall” self-guided tour, 6 and 8 p.m.; $6 adults, $3 children. For details, call 623-9178.



Dec. 4

• Altrusa Club chili supper, 5-7 p.m., Richmond First Christian Church; $5, children under 5 eat free.

• “Concert at the Columns,” 6 p.m., Richmond First United Methodist Church, 401 W. Main St.

• Richmond holiday parade, 7 p.m., Lancaster Avenue and Main Street.



Dec. 5

• Gifts of Good Taste Craft Fair, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., First Baptist Church, Eastern Bypass, Richmond. The benefit for international missions features homemade goodies and a silent auction, breakfast, 7-11 a.m., soup/chili lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For details, visit www.firstbaptistnet.com.

• “Holiday Happening,” Christmas craft show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Santa will make an appearance Saturday between 11a.m. and 1 p.m. for photos with children or families. Cub Scouts will sell baked goods and refreshments. For details, call 623-8753.

• Christmas in the Village, 9:30 a.m., Friends of Paint Lick building in Paint Lick.

• Molly McCormack of Louisville plays traditional folk acoustic music, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea.

• Bob Diehl of Louisville demonstrates a vintage 1870s pedal powered scroll saw, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea.

• Berea Chamber of Commerce Christmas bazaar, 1-6 p.m., College Square and Chestnut Street Square.

• “An Unforgettable Christmas” with Natalie Cole, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., St. Mark Catholic Church, Richmond. For tickets, call 623-2989,

• 24th Annual Twilight Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., Chestnut Street, Berea.



Dec. 7

• European holiday traditions party, 7-10 p.m., Baird Lounge, Berea College Alumni Building. The free party will highlight some of Europe’s traditional holidays during the month of December with food and fun for everyone. For details, e-mail Susan Buie at buies@berea.edu or call 985-3453.



Dec. 8

• “Messiah” by EKU Concert Choir and String Orchestra, 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 425 Eastern Bypass, Richmond.



Dec. 11-12

• EKU Madrigal Feastes, Keen Johnson Ballroom, doors open at 6:30 p.m., seating at 6:45 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m. Advanced tickets can be purchased for $26 in the Colonel 1 Card office, Room 17 on the main floor of the Powell Building, or by calling 622-2179. Proceeds benefit the EKU Chorale Music Department.



Dec. 11-13

• “Pioneer Christmas in Kentucky,” an 18th Century Christmas evening of dinner and musical drama portraying the early pioneers of Milford, the original county seat of Madison County, at White Oak Pond Church at the corner of Goggins Lane and Barnes Mill Road. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 by reservation only. Call 623-6515 for details.



Dec. 12

• St. Mark Catholic Church Christmas bazaar, 115 Parrish Ave., 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For details, call 623-2989.

• Kids in the Kitchen Holiday Party: EKU, Perkins Building, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids will celebrate the season preparing holiday treats, making a holiday craft and playing a game. Supplies in the amount of $15 payable to the instructor which includes pizza and drink for lunch. Please bring a large container to carry home goodies. Ages 5-12 with no food allergies. Call 622-1228 for details.

• Christmas party, Madison County Public Library, Richmond branch, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Doll maker Linda Evans, of Berea, will sculpt Santa Claus from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center.

• Poetic Expresso: Madison County Library, Berea, 7 to 9 p.m. Holiday-themed poetry and reading for all ages.

• International Film Series: “Joyeux Noel,” 8-10 p.m., Baird Lounge, Berea College Alumni Building, free.



Dec. 15-17

• Santa will make a special visit to pre-registered city residents between 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $10 per child. Pre-registered county residents can visit with Santa at the Richmond Parks building on Dec. 15 from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Applications may be obtained at the Richmond Parks and Recreation Dept. located at 321 N. Second Street or at www.richmond.ky.us. Deadline for applications is Monday Dec. 11. For more information call 623-8753.



Dec. 21

• Carols on the Carillon, 8 p.m., Berea College Quadrangle. Free. For details, e-mail Dr. John Courter at John_Courter@berea.edu.



Dec. 26-Jan. 10

• Christmas Country Dance School, Berea College. A fun way to stay warm. Classes in traditional dance styles including English clog, country, Morris dance, rapper, Danish, Appalachian clogging and square dance plus singing, music, crafts and parties. Advanced leadership classes for callers and dance instructors. Hosted at the Seabury Center. For details, call 985-3413.



Dec. 28-31

• Christmas Break Fun, 1-3 p.m., Madison County Public Library, 507 W. Main St., Richmond.



Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.