Woodbury Hosts 26th Annual Cannon County Christmas

By Elise Floyd

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

WOODBURY, Tenn. – The “Old Fashioned Cannon County Christmas Festival” resounded as an immediate success with numerous Christmas joys located around the square of Woodbury beginning at 5 p.m. on Nov. 17.

As the sounds of jingling bells grew louder, the throng of visitors cheered as a jovial white-bearded Saint Nick came dashing into the square on a mule-drawn buggy. As the festive cart came to a stop on the front lawn of the Cannon County Courthouse, Santa heartily greeted and waved to children crowded around the North Pole gazebo. Known throughout the Middle Tennessee area for hosting one of the most seasonal and traditional small town Christmas celebrations, this year’s yuletide festivity left their visitors with smiles on their faces and shopping bags on their arms. 

Photo By Elise Floyd

        Santa was not the only main attraction of the evening, however. Surrounding the Square was a live nativity scene, beautifully lighted buildings, and endless amounts of punch and cookies inside every surrounding shop.

“It’s the highlight of the season,” said Hannah Gribble, a volunteer for the Cannon County Dance Studio. “This is my first time participating, but so far it’s been so fun to see so many people show up.”

An estimated 200 to 400 people attended the festival around the Square on Friday evening.

Upon visiting Cannon County, guests would find themselves walking under canopies of twinkling lights and Christmas merriment spilling out from the doors of shops like Lynn’s Pickett Fence, Lelands Consignment, and even Regions Bank.

Every shop was elaborately decorated, inside and out, distributing punch, hot cider, and a wide assortment of freshly baked goods one could purchase upon their visit.

Shop owner Bek Parton from Bek’s Boutiques and Custom Designs explained that the shops on the Square had been willingly participating in this annual Christmas event for many years.

“No one from the courthouse needed to come knocking on our doors,” she said. “It was just something that we’ve always done and everyone loves doing for the community.”

Photo By Elise Floyd

Not only was this Christmas on the Square a hit for visitors, but it also served as the grand opening for Bek’s Boutiques. The store features items such as fashionable children’s and women’s clothing.

 “We just opened last Sunday, and today we have already been super busy and really successful so far,” Parton continued.

In hopes of spreading yuletide cheer, to provide yet another outlet for Christmas gift-shopping, and to pay a visit to Santa Claus, locals encourage visitors to experience the festival for themselves next year for the 27^th celebration. Middle Tennesseans can visit at other times or events to explore the town’s creative shops and restaurants.

Cannon County lies directly in the middle of all four Motlow campuses, located on U.S. Highway 70 South, 19 miles south of Murfreesboro. Individuals who are passing through can stop by to see for themselves what this little town of Woodbury can offer to them for Christmas.

Other Middle Tennessee towns offer holiday events through New Year’s Day. They include,

·         “Opryland Christmas Lights” free admission at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville from Nov. 1 to Jan. 1, open from 4 p.m. until midnight.

·         “Chad’s Winter Wonderland” from Nov. 23 until Jan. 1 is located in Lebanon. Its admission prices are $15 per vehicle.

·         “The Nashville Ballet Presents the Nutcracker” at the Andrew Jackson Hall at TPAC from Dec. 2 till Dec. 23, with ticket prices ranging from $35 to $97.

·         “Murfreesboro Christmas Parade” will take place on at 2 p.m. Dec. 10.

·         “Downtown Nashville Christmas Parade” begins on at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 2.

For more information about Woodbury, visit www.cannontn.com.