Hearne gears up for annual “Light Up Hearne” contest
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — The holiday season is officially in full swing in Hearne, and the city is getting ready to shine a little brighter. The City of Hearne and the Hearne Chamber of Commerce have kicked off the much-loved “Light Up Hearne” contest, inviting homeowners and businesses to show off their best holiday decorations. Every year, families, neighbors, and local shops join in by covering their homes and storefronts with lights, inflatables, wreaths, and all sorts of Christmas cheer. From classic white lights to bold, colorful displays, the contest gives everyone a chance to get creative and help brighten up the city for the season. Judging will take place December 7 through December 13, with judges driving around town to check out all the decorated spots. They’ll be looking at creativity, originality, and how much holiday spirit each display brings to the community. First, second, and third place winners will be chosen in both the house and business categories, with winners announced on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Anyone wanting to participate should have their decorations up by December 10 so they don’t miss out. While the contest brings out a little friendly competition each year, it’s really about bringing people together and spreading joy across Hearne. Anyone with questions or needing more details can reach out to the Hearne Chamber of Commerce. As decorations start popping up around town, “Light Up Hearne” once again gives everyone a chance to share the magic of the holidays and help make the season brighter for the whole community.
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News FRANKLIN — Get ready to deck the halls — Franklin’s most festive event of the season is almost here! The Franklin Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to join the Merry & Bright Christmas Parade and Market on Friday, December 6, for an afternoon and evening filled with shopping, sweet treats, and plenty of Christmas cheer. The celebration will take place around the historic Courthouse Square in downtown Franklin, where local vendors and food trucks will line the streets with holiday goodies, handmade crafts, and unique gifts. Pop-up shops open at 2 p.m., offering visitors the perfect chance to find something special while supporting small businesses. Families can enjoy pictures with Santa from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and a festive student performance by 1st String Lions School of Music from 4 to 5 p.m. As dusk falls, the Merry & Bright Christmas Parade will light up the streets — a beloved Franklin tradition that captures the spirit of the season. Parade line-up begins at 4:30 p.m. at the City Park, and everyone is invited to join in the fun. The Chamber is still accepting vendor and parade applications, and the best part — vendor spots are free. A small typo in an earlier draft listed the wrong day, but the event is definitely set for Saturday, December 6. Organized by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, this event promises to bring the community together for an evening of laughter, lights, and local pride. So bundle up, grab some cocoa, and come celebrate the holidays in the heart of Franklin.
Franklin’s “Merry & Bright” Christmas parade and market
Written by club reporters, Jakob Keller, Senior Reporter for Elliott 4H, and Maylee Robinson, Senior Reporter for Mumford 4H. On Thursday evening, November 20, members from Elliott and Mumford 4H clubs met at the county fair grounds in Hearne to help children in the Child Protective Services. Some members had previously shopped for presents, while a group of fourteen adults and students met to wrap the presents. In all, both clubs were able to help provide gifts for six children. With wrapping paper, tape, scissors, people, and a few youtube videos, fun memories were made while making an attempt at wrapping presents. Apologies to any of the children receiving gifts that may have experienced not so neat wrapping. Something memorable for us was that each child had their own wrapping paper and they each had the same amount of presents. One of the high school students there made a very creative gift wrapping. To transport the presents and keep each child’s gifts together and separate, we used black trash bags that had a fabuloso scent that was not so fabuloso. The entire building had a mysterious smell. It made good cologne, though. Both of our favorite parts were talking to friends while wrapping presents, and doing something meaningful. This Christmas gift giving event was important because we get to help people in need. A few lessons we took from this are: 1. When people or clubs come together we can do great things, and 2. We understand that we are blessed and not all children are, so we need to help them out in their hard positions.
4-H Clubs Team Up to Bring Christmas Joy to Local CPS Children
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News CALVERT — Calvert is getting into the holiday spirit with a weekend full of festive fun and local history. The celebrations kick off Friday, December 5, with the Christmas Festival & Tree Lighting at Virginia Field Park. Presented by the Calvert Historical Foundation with support from the city, the festival is free and open to everyone. The evening runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and will feature food trucks, craft vendors, live music, and plenty of holiday cheer. Families can enjoy a free Kid Zone with games and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Most vendors accept cash only. For questions about the Friday event, Michelle can be reached at 979-574-0059. The holiday fun continues Saturday, December 6, with the Calvert Holiday Tour of Historic Homes & Churches. Ticket holders will get an up-close look at 12 of Calvert’s most beautiful historic homes and churches. Tickets are $35 and must be picked up in person at the City Hall Museum Lobby, 620 S. Main St., starting at 8:30 a.m. Printed tickets are required for entry, and there is no re-entry to homes or churches. The self-guided tour is split into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session runs 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes stops 1 through 7, with a special viewing at stop #7. After a lunch break in downtown Calvert from 12:30 to 2 p.m., the afternoon tour runs 2 to 5:30 p.m., covering stops 7 through 10. A special holiday concert by Dr. Danny Kelly will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Church of Epiphany. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Calvert Historical Foundation and go toward the restoration of Virginia Field Park’s historic fence, an important part of the town’s history. The tour will take place rain or shine.
Calvert celebrates the holidays with festival and historic homes tour
