Time to usher in holiday season – Dalton festivities this weekend
DGKN archive photo
The Dalton Holidays Festival parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday.
DGKN staff report
DALTON Two staples in the community are being recognized this weekend by the Dalton Holidays Festival Committee as this year’s parade grand marshal and Citizen of the Year.
The Dalton Community Historical Society is the 2021 parade grand marshal and longtime preschool owner and teacher Bev McGinty will be honored as the Citizen of the Year at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Village Hall.
“We are honored to have both as an important part of our community,” according to a news release from the Dalton Holidays Festival committee.
McGinty, the owner of Bright Beginnings Preschool, which is housed at Dalton Presbyterian Church, retired this year after 28 years. The preschool continues under the leadership of Lindsay Ramsay.
The Dalton Community Historical Society is led by president Vickie Menges, vice-president Francis Woodruff, secretary Cherie Graham, and treasurer Joe Slater.
“We are honored to be selected as Grand Marshal of the parade,” Menges wrote in an email. “It brings the historical society into the public eye.”
Menges noted that she’s surprised Daltonites continue to discover the society and museum for the first time. The museum campus is at 115 E Main Street near Village Green Park and residents and visitors are welcome to stop in to see what they’re all about. Open houses are the first Sunday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m.
The society has resumed calendar sales and they have many interesting local artifacts and memorabilia in their collection including a large selection of Dalton High School photos and acquisitions, and the military section is growing.
The festival committee notes in the news release that the 45th annual festival “will look a little different, but we are excited to bring you back down to our community for some great holiday fun to kick off the season!”
2021 event information
Friday, Dec. 3
6-8 p.m.– Downtown Business Open House
* Mrs. Claus’ Pantry
* Food Trucks
* Crowning of Queen, Snow Princess, Little Jack Frost, and Little Miss Snowflake
* Citizen of the Year and Grand Marshal Presentation
Saturday, Dec. 4
7-10 a.m. Rotary Breakfast at Dalton Presbyterian Church
2 p.m. Grand Parade
2:30- 5 p.m. Festival Activities at the Dalton High School parking lot
* Santa, Mrs. Claus, The Grinch
* Mrs. Claus’ Pantry
* 50/50 Raffle
* Touch-A-Truck
* Turkey Bowling
* Skillet Toss
* Food Trucks
* Samurai Balloon Guy
* Let’s Face It Caricatures
