Experience Lights & Legends: A Bright & Merry Time
12.1.2016
This holiday season, bring your family and friends to a special event in Cherokee, NC, that will delight and inform guests of all ages. Lights & Legends features four sculptures with interactive displays that tell ancient Cherokee legends: The Welcome Legend, The Legend of the Seven Clans, Those Who Stayed Awake, and How the Bear Lost His Tail. Learn the story of why bears have short tails and are not fond of foxes, or why some animals are nocturnal and some plants remain green all year round.
Open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, from December 2–31, Lights & Legends takes place on the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, 545 Tsali Blvd. (There will be no event on December 23–24.) Hours are 5–10 p.m. each night. A special fireworks display will take place on New Year’s Eve at 10 p.m. The Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m.
In addition to free admission, there are inexpensive entertainment options. Try your hand at carnival style games such as basketball, football, bust-a-balloon, Putt Putt, ring toss, pick-up-a-duck, and more, for 1 ticket each. Entrance to the bouncy house is 5 tickets for the evening. Tickets are each $1 (cash only). Available through December 17, children can tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas. For $5, you’ll receive a photo with Santa (available on a CD). Snack on cotton candy and popcorn or offerings from several food vendors.
Are you dreaming of a snowy Christmas? With or without flurries, a synthetic ice rink will get you in the wintery spirit! Half-hour skating sessions cost only $5. Hang out by the 40-foot Christmas tree or discover goodies from a number of craft vendors.
Do you enjoy singing holiday tunes? Enter the nightly caroling competition! Participating groups will receive $100, and each evening, the audience will vote on their favorite caroling group. On December 31, winners will be announced (prizes are $600, $300, and $150 for first, second, and third place, respectively). To sign up, contact Chris Watty (828.359.6486 or chriwatt@nc-cherokee.com) by December 2. Entry after December 2 will be dependent on space availability.
For more information, visit the Event page, or contact the Cherokee Welcome Center by calling 800.438.1601 or 828.359.6490, or emailing travel@nc-cherokee.com.