Written by Debbie Page
Troutman Parks and Recreation staff are beginning to get used to the newly renovated facility at the ESC Park entrance and hope to welcome the public to a ribbon cutting in the coming weeks.
Director Emily Watson said the building will include staff offices and storage, as well as a community room for arts and crafts events and other types of gatherings.
The Town of Troutman and several community organizations are planning several traditional holiday events in the coming weeks, including a new event born out of the success of October’s Halloween costume swap.
new holiday toy exchange
Watson is asking community members to bring unwanted, clean, like-new, gently used toys with no missing parts to City Hall by Wednesday, Dec. 6. If you do, you’ll be eligible for the Holiday Toy Swap on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m.2 pm
This event will allow participating community members to “shop” for “new” items.
This is how you exchange toys. Each donated toy is given a ticket value. Upon arrival on December 9th, each person will be given five tickets to shop for free.
Participants can place donated items in the trash can in the main lobby of City Hall. All toys will be sanitized and cleaned by volunteers before shopping. Please do not donate items such as child seats, electronics, baby carriers, or baby formula.
Watson said toy swaps are a great way to bring people together, and what may be a waste to one person can be happily reused by another, meaning something less useful can end up being He said he can remind everyone that it means it’s going to the landfill.
“It’s estimated that the average family in the United States spends $600 per child per year on toys, so this also means less money out of your pocket,” Watson added.
If you have any questions, please contact brittneyclark1024@gmail.com or Troutman Parks and Recreation at 704-528-7600 (ext. 3).
Tree lighting November 30th
The town’s annual community Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held at Troutman ESC Park (338 North Ave) on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided by Troutman’s Ruritan Club.
Local school groups will sing festive songs for the holiday season, and Santa will also be there to take photos and ask for Christmas wishes.
Food trucks will also be on site with coffee, donuts and other items available for purchase. Parking is available at Troutman ESC Park for this free event.
Rotary Pancake Breakfast December 2nd
The annual Troutman Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast with Santa will be held at a new location this year: the South Iredell High School cafeteria on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. It will be held for up to 30 minutes.
An all-you-can-eat breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and children 5 and under are free.
The South Iredell High School choir and orchestra will provide entertainment.
Proceeds from this event will be donated to the South Yadkin Baptist Association “Toy Store for Jesus” and other children in the community.
If you are interested in sponsoring an event, please contact the Rotary Club at troutmanrotaryclub@gmail.com or message us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TroutmanRotary.
Troutman Christmas Parade December 2nd
The annual Troutman Christmas Parade will be held along Eastway Drive on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. The parade begins at Career Academy School (350 Old Murdock Road), turns left onto Eastway Drive through Old Murdock Road, and ends at Troutman Baptist Church.
Parade participants must bring new, unwrapped toys to be placed on the Marine Corps toy truck at the end of the parade or delivered to City Hall during regular business hours prior to the day of the parade.
If you are interested in participating as an entry, please click on the link (https://www.troutmannc.gov/index.asp) and submit your information by November 25th.
There is no admission fee for the parade, but the town asks participants to consider donating new, unwrapped toys to the Toys for Tots program. Toys can be brought in on the day of the parade or left at City Hall in advance.
If you have any questions, please contact ewatson@troutmannc.gov.
South Iredell High Craft Bazaar Set for December 2nd
The South Iredell Holiday Bazaar Craft Show will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community can support local vendors selling the perfect gifts this holiday season before and after the parade.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please contact Ethan Holland at ethan_holland@iss.k12.nc.us.
The drive-thru birthday celebration is scheduled for December 7-9.
The community is invited to understand the true meaning of Christmas at the annual Troutman Drive-Thru Nativity.
This free event will be held at the Iredell County Fairgrounds (630 North Main Street) from Thursday, December 7th through Saturday, December 9th, from 6pm to 8pm each night (weather permitting).
Attendees will drive through 26 scenes from the life of Christ along the venue’s tracks and experience the sights and sounds of Bethlehem with 150 cast members and live animals.
If community members are interested in joining the cast, this event has many roles to play, including acting scenes such as walking, standing, and sitting.
To participate, children must be at least 5 years old or kindergarten age. If there are no children on site, parents should ask a responsible adult to care for their children.
To sign up, go online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4aa8ad2ca1f49-live?useFullSite=true#/.
If you have any questions, please contact Marcia Perell at 704-640-6229 (or leave a message if no response).
Jingle Run 5K December 10th
The Jingle Run 5k/Walk is a family-friendly, festive run through the town of Troutman starting at Troutman Town Hall (400 N. Eastway Drive) on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. .
Participants are asked to wear their most creative and colorful holiday costumes to make the holiday season even more fun.
This race will be an official timed race run by McClelland Racing Team (MRT). Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Troutman/JingleRunorWalk or in person at City Hall.
The cost is $20 per person and includes a finisher medal and T-shirt. Register by November 30th to guarantee your T-shirt.
An optional early packet pick-up will be held at City Hall on Friday, December 8th from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Please note that strollers are welcome at the event.
The town is asking participants to consider donating new toys or personal care items to My Sister’s House on race day to support holiday needs.
Christmas wish list for my sister’s house: pajamas (all sizes for women and children), women’s slippers, robes, scarves, mittens, toboggans, blankets, throws, and new unwrapped toys for all ages.
Ongoing needs at my sister’s house: paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues), cleaning supplies, over-the-counter cold and flu medicine, shampoo and conditioner sets, bottled water, juice boxes, soda, strong Colored towels, washcloths, dish towels.
If you have any questions, please contact ewatson@troutmannc.gov.