Even Mr. Scrooge and the Grinch should be able to get into that holiday spirit this weekend with all the holiday events on the horizon in Hampton County.
Holiday parades, concerts, and other events kick off this week and include:

Christmas Parades
- The Town of Estill will sponsor its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Any individual, church, or organization interested in participating in the parade should call the Town Hall at (803) 625-3243. The parade will follow its usual route and begin near Tison Motor Company and travel north on U.S. Highway 321.
- There is still time to enter the Yemassee Christmas parade, also scheduled for this Saturday at 10a.m. There will be bands and floats as well as other entries in this year's parade You or your church/organization can enter a float or a decorated automobile.
The parade will begin at the Yemassee baseball field next to Dollar General and will travel from Church Street to Fennell Elementary School. If you are interested in placing an entry in the parade, please contact Helen Patterson at (843) 589-6229 or FES at (803)-398-5591.

Holiday Concerts
- The Hampton County Choral Society will present its annual Christmas Concert to the community at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church Hampton.
The concert, under the direction of Annette Tuten and accompanied by John Holley, will be a kick-off to the Christmas season. The concert features a wide array of varied Christmas music, with a special intermission of Christmas caroling for everyone in attendance.
This concert is free, however donations are appreciated to help further the group's efforts in bringing quality choral music and productions to the community.
- The Singing Christmas Tree will be held on the steps of The First Baptist Church of Hampton at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. All church choirs are invited to sing numerous holiday selections, and the public is invited to attend. In the event of bad weather the event will be held inside.

Arts Council events
- The Hampton County Arts Council will be sponsoring its annual Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The tour will highlight homes, businesses and churches in the town of Yemassee, including the home of James and Ethel Denmark, the Sloman House, and the Yemassee "Old Depot;" and in Hampton the stops will include the home of Michelle and Nicholas Hiers and Hampton United Methodist Church.
Tickets for the event are $15 (if you drive the tour yourself) and $20 (if you choose to ride the shuttle provided by the Arts Council) and are available in Hampton at the Palmetto Theater and the Frock Shop, and in Estill at Hanna's Pharmacy.
- Christmas Variety at the Palmetto will take the stage on Monday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 pm. This year's program is a special treat for our military veterans in the area. Admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for senior citizens, veterans, and children under the age of 12. For more on any Arts Council event call 943-3100.
- Students from the Armstrong Music Studio will be having a Christmas Recital open to the public on Friday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in The Palmetto Theater. The recital will be led by Erin Armstrong, who teaches music lessons in piano, guitar, and voice.

Other seasonal events
- If you are looking to get into the Christmas spirit, mark your calendars for the Festival of Trees, which will be Dec. 1-3 at the Stone National Guard Armory in Hampton.
The theme for this year's festival is "The sounds of Christmas." The Festival of Trees is the major fundraiser for Friends of Hospice, which serves Hampton and Allendale counties.
The Preview/Auction Party is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Stone National Guard Armory and gives you a first peek at the trees. You can enjoy cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres and bid on auction items donated by local businesses in an auction and silent auction. Tickets are $20 per person.
If you would like to participate or purchase tickets to the preview party and auction, call Vickie Smith at (843) 645-6540 or Christine Peeples at (803) 625-3004.
- The Magnolia Garden Club, with the aid of Varnville Elementary School, will be holding its annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Varnville Gazebo at 3 p.m. Friday.