As the 2024 holiday season moves into high gear, Christmas parades are scheduled next week in Clinton, Norris and Rocky Top, with the Oak Ridge parade the following weekend. Rocky Top will have its Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. next Thursday, Dec. 5, at City Hall, followed at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, by the Christmas parade. Then on Saturday, Dec. 7, both Norris and Clinton will hold their Christmas parades. Clinton’s traditional parade of bands, floats, dancers, local artists and more will proceed up Market Street then down Main Street beginning at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Christmas at the Movies.” In Norris, the Christmas parade also begins at 6 p.m., following the Norris Winter Festival, which will be held from 1-6 p.m. in the downtown area. Also on Friday, Dec. 6, the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will hold its community Christmas tree lighting, beginning at 6 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park. Then on Saturday, Dec. 14, Oak Ridge’s Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. Its theme this year is “Home for the Holidays.” It will form at Corporate Center (151 Lafayette Drive) and turn West onto the Oak Ridge Turnpike, then proceed to the Oak Ridge High School area. Oliver Springs will round out the Christmas parade season this year beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Also scheduled in downtown Clinton on Dec. 14 is the annual Holiday Market, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Read MorePatronizing small businesses is encouraged year-round, but that theme is at the forefront of this weekend’s “Shop Small Saturday” event. The goal is to boost small businesses on the busiest holiday shopping weekend of the year. Clinton’s Shop Small Saturday is promoted this year by the Historic Downtown Clinton organization. But it is among similar events nationwide, called Small Business Saturday, celebrated every year on Thanksgiving weekend. Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010, and has officially been co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011. “Small Business Saturday has become an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season,” the SBA says.
Read MoreJim McBride, as his last act on the Clinton City Council, made a motion for a $1,000 Christmas bonus for each city employee. Council member David Queener seconded, and the measure passed unanimously among the members present. Mayor Scott Burton was absent, and Vice Mayor Larry Gann presided over the meeting. The council also passed a resolution honoring McBride. Both the council and the audience applauded. “I’m not mad; I’m happy — it’s just one of those things, it’s time,” McBride said about his decision not to run again. He thanked and praised the city staff before making the motion. McBride said the bonuses will cost around $141,000. The money will come from the city’s $8.4 million unassigned fund balance. The council also unanimously voted to have Council member Rob Herrell replace McBride on the Clinton Utilities Board.
Read MoreThe Tennessee Department of Education has recognized Clinton City Schools as “exemplary,” its highest level of distinction. Just nine other schools received this designation for the 2023-24 school year. An official state news release explains how the state decides this honor. Each year, schools and districts are eligible for designations based on their overall performance across several indicators. They include how the schools prepared students to be proficient accelerated student learning, encouraged students to attend school regularly, prepared students for postsecondary success, and supported English learners acquiring language skills. All three individual Clinton City Schools: Clinton Elementary, North Clinton Elementary, and South Clinton Elementary, received reward school status, which is the highest honor given by the state Department of Education, based on federal accountability.
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