Montevallo celebrates Christmas on the Creek

Published 6:05 pm Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Those looking to get out of the house and celebrate Christmas have a perfect opportunity in Montevallo’s Christmas on the Creek, which goes through Dec. 22.

Chamber President Mary Lou Williams said although Christmas on the Creek is in its seventh year, this is the first year attendees will be allowed to walk through the lights extravaganza from 6-7 p.m. every night. Adults can walk through for $2 and children for $1.

As in years past, cars will be allowed to drive through from 7-9 p.m. nightly, at $5 per car. A bazaar with local merchandise available for purchase will also operate every night from 6-9 p.m. in the Parnell Memorial Library.

Williams said Christmas on the Creek has become a tradition for many families — both inside and outside Shelby County.

“Christmas is happy and exciting, and it’s a time for family. So to have something for families and that can become a family tradition, it’s something people like. It’s become a tradition for children. It’s like, ‘What night do we get to do that?’” she said. “We get calls from Clanton and Jemison and Bibb County asking directions to Orr Park.”

Williams said it took days for Montevallo’s public works employees to hang the lights, but they enjoyed the break from usual duties.

“For them, it’s a lot of fun. It’s like decorating your house. You get all the decorations out. That’s how they feel about it,” she said.

A portion of the proceeds from Christmas on the Creek will go to support a new scholarship, created by the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, which will go to a senior at Montevallo High School who intends to go on to the University of Montevallo.

Christmas on the Creek is sponsored by Lafarge North America, Regions Bank, Dixie Decorations, the city of Montevallo and the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce.