Bells are ringing, carolers are singing, bundled in jackets with mittens to boot; crowds stand shoulder to shoulder to catch some sweet tasting loot; gleeful and happy they watch the throng of floats glide by, anxiously awaiting Saint Nick to share his “Ho, Ho, Ho,” wave and say “hi.”

It's Christmas time in Catoosa County and just like children gathering around the tree on Christmas morning, residents will soon make their way to the annual celebrations in Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe.

Ringgold is featuring its annual Down Home Christmas celebration on Dec. 2.

The festivities begin with the parade along Nashville Street at 6 p.m. Awards will be presented for the top three floats.

“We are anticipating a banner year for this event,” said Ronal Graham, event coordinator. “Crowds attending the parade and visiting our businesses is always a blessing this time of year. Our merchants and volunteers are rolling out the red carpet to make people feel down home for Christmas in Ringgold.”

Entertainment will begin at the historic Ringgold Depot at 7 p.m. Among the performers will be the Heart and Soul Dancers, Applebrook Country Day Care, Ringgold Elementary School, Tiger Creek Elementary School, Ringgold Middle School Chorus, Heritage Middle School Chorus and Ringgold High School Chorus. A special holiday skit will feature the Actor Factor at 9 p.m. Children will also have the opportunity to get their picture taken with Santa at the Depot, Graham said.

Sponsored by Ross Andrews, the Children’s Coloring Contest winners will be displayed inside the Depot.

Local businesses are staying open later for shoppers, he added.

Parade applications are available at Ringgold City Hall, Price Ringgold Drugs and Graham and Graham Dentistry.

Graham said another exciting aspect of the event is the event program, which allows attendees to have the program stamped as they visit participating area businesses. A fully stamped program serves as an entry form, making the person eligible for a chance to win $500, he said.

He said this year the deadline for visiting the businesses to have the program stamped is extended beyond Down Home Christmas and the winner will be selected later in December.

Fort Oglethorpe Parade

The Fort Oglethorpe Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.

Fort Oglethorpe Fire Department Capt. Doug Flury is coordinating the parade along with Capt. Connie Haddock.

“Our Christmas parade has always been good in the past,” he said. “From the initial entry forms it looks like its going to be even larger this year. We are looking forward to everyone joining us for the event.”

Flury said the parade route will begin at Capital Bank on Battlefield Parkway and travel west to LaFayette Street, turn South and end at Parker Road.

The Parade grand marshal is Capt. Gary McGhee, state Firefighter of the Year award recipient from Georgia Firefighters Association.

Awards will be given for the top three parade participants provided by Capital Bank, Flury said.

Businesses or residents desiring to participate in the parade may call the Fort Oglethorpe Fire Department at 861-4194 to have an entry form faxed to them. Forms can also be picked up there.

Flury said parade participants will be accepted up until the start of the parade. Float s will begin lining up behind Burger King from Van Cleve Street at 5 p.m.

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Down Home Christmas parade

Friday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m.

Entertainment and Santa at Ringgold Depot after parade

Fort Oglethorpe Christmas parade

Saturday, Dec. 3,

6 p.m.

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