The 2023 City of Summerville Christmas in the Park will be held this evening at Dowdy Park in Summerville.  In addition to visits with Santa Claus for the kids, there will also be a girls and a boys bicycle given away.  Also, adults can register for a free Christmas ham.  There will be plenty of vendors at the event as well, along with several contests that include the Best Dressed Elf and Christmas Candy Smackdown.  See details about tonight’s event below:

Children of all ages are invited to enjoy holiday cheer at The City of Summerville’s annual Christmas In The Park event in Dowdy Park. Christmas In The Park will be presented to the public on Friday, December 8 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Santa will arrive at the park at 6:00 p.m. to visit and offer free photos with children. There will be a Best Dressed Elf Contest, Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, The Christmas Candy Smack Down Contest and lots of fun scheduled for the evening. This year’s event will highlight vendors on site with a wide variety of crafts, food, baked items, and merchandise for shopping. 

The official lighting of the tree ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.in Dowdy Park. The tree will be lit by the winner of The Best Dressed Elf contest, accompanied by Mayor Harry Harvey. Complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn provided by the City of Summerville will be available in the middle gazebo to tempt the taste buds. Free holiday miniature train rides will also be offered around the park, along with holiday hayrides being offered.   

Live musical performances with a variety of performers, including Michael Lee Stancil, will be a highlight, bringing Christmas cheer to all. Special drawings for a girl’s and a boy’s bike, as well as a Christmas ham will be done at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the drawings will be available at the big gazebo at no charge. Only one ticket per item will be allowed per person. Ticket holders must be present to win.  

Best Dressed Elf Competition 

 The Best Dressed Elf contest is open to all elementary aged children and sponsored by Summerville Main Street.  Registration for “Elves” entering the contest will be held at the small gazebo in Dowdy Park between 6:00- 6:30 p.m. Judging is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. The contest winner will receive a trophy, be named “Head Elf”, and will do the honors of lighting the official park tree. The tree lighting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. 

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest 

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest is open to all ages. Registration begins at 7:15 at the small gazebo and judging begins at 7:30 p.m. Plenty of fun and Christmas cheer is expected from this contest, with the winner taking home a $50 cash prize. This contest is sponsored by Summerville Main Street.  

The Christmas Candy Smack Down Contest  

 Attention Bakers: Summerville Main Street is looking for the best candy makers in the area to compete in the 2023 Christmas Candy Smack Down.  For the bakers up to accepting the challenge, bring one dozen pieces of your favorite homemade Christmas Candy, along with your recipe to the small gazebo in Dowdy Park during Christmas in the Park. Entries will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Recipes are subject to be publicized by our local media. Your candy entry should be accompanied by a registration form, which may be filled out on site. Six pieces of the candy will be sampled for judging, with the remaining six pieces of candy being packaged and donated as a Christmas Gift to Public Safety & First Responders. Event winners will be announced at 8:00 p.m. trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners and the winning entry will be proclaimed by Mayor Harvey as “Best Christmas Candy For 2023”. 

 Free tours of the Couey House will be given by the Chattooga County Historical Society. The house is furnished in period appropriate furnishing that would have been appropriate of Chattooga County families in the early 1840-1850’s. The Chattooga County Garden Club will adorn the house with all natural Christmas Décor.