With Thanksgiving over, plans begin for Christmas in Big Sandy region

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Big Sandy region as several events and contests are being held to celebrate the biggest holiday of the year.

Louisa started decorating Tuesday evening for its new Tinsel Town, a display of Christmas trees throughout the downtown area.

“Over $15,000 worth of displays and lights will welcome families near and far to a new town tradition,” the display’s Facebook page says. “Join us by sponsoring a tree so members of our community or businesses can decorate and enjoy the Christmas season.”

Paintsville has also embarked on a similar project. Paintsville Main Street is asking businesses and residents to donate or sponsor trees to light up the city. Each tree will be marked with the business or personal sponsorship and will be displayed in the downtown area.

“These trees will continue to be displayed for years to come,” according to a release.

The Paintsville/Johnson County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a window/storefront decorating contest with the theme “Home for the Holidays.

The organization encourages businesses to “put your holiday spirit on display…in our city as well as in our county.”

“This contest is open to all businesses, regardless of chamber membership,” the chamber said in its announcement of the event.

Businesses entering the contest must fill out an application, with a registration form and contest rules available of the Paintsville/Johnson County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.

Voting will be conducted via a virtual platform beginning Dec. 5 and continuing through midnight Dec. 10.

The business receiving the most votes will win a grand prize valued at $2,000.

The No. 1 requirement for all contestants is to “be creative, be festive and have fun,” the organization says.

The city of Prestonsburg is sponsoring the Merry Christmas Decorating Contest for homes and businesses.

“Here’s your chance to show off your skills, and bring a little Christmas cheer to your hometown,” the city said in a release.

The residential winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to be used at downtown businesses. The business winner will get an office lunch, free advertising and “bragging rights,” a flyer for the contest says.

Homes and businesses are asked to send photos of their display via Facebook Messenger to by email to entries@prestonsburgcity.org by Monday, Dec. 14.

The city also briefly considered having its annual Christmas parade but announced last week that the event will not happen this year, adding that next year’s parade will be “bigger and better than ever.”

“In the meantime, we ask that citizens participate in decorating their homes and businesses, so that everyone may drive around and observe the beauty our small town has to offer during this holiday season.”

Among other Christmas events and projects:

• The Community Christmas Fill-A-Stocking Drive in Lawrence County has extended its donation deadline to Tuesday, Dec. 8. Donors can fill a stocking or donate items for organizers to put in a stocking. Stockings or items can be dropped off at The Big Sandy News on Highway 2565 and The Haven in Louisa Plaza.

• Christmas wreaths are available for pre-order from the Lawrence County Extension Office.

“Due to COVID guidelines we are no longer taking appointments to make wreath,” the extension office said.

A wreath and bow are $10, with only one wreath available per person. Residents can call the extension office at 606-673-9495 to order and schedule a time for pickup, at which time a bow can be chosen.

Pickup days are Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 10-11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the extension office.

• The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a Christmas dinner donation drive through Dec. 10.

Donation suggestions include small canned ham, Spam, instant mashed potatoes, canned fruit, cranberry sauce, canned pasta, snake packs of Jello and pudding, Treet, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables and fruit cups.

Items can be dropped off at the sheriff’s office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit Ma and Pa’s Pizza Place on Ky. 1690 at Cherryville Monday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m.