Christmas in the Country at LaGrange Nov. 22-23
Celebrate the 36th anniversary of LaGrange College Site Park’s CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY Event on November 22-23, 2024, as the historic park transforms into a site of Christmas past. Located off Hwy 157, near White Oak on ‘Little Mountain’ with a 400 ft. elevation, it overlooks the entire Tennessee Valley, offering a stunning view enhanced by vibrant autumn foliage. Visitors will enjoy special music by the Stampede band, along with new vendors, food trucks, Blacksmith Craftsmen demonstrations, and the sale of their iron-crafted art at the old Country Store. The event captures the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned Christmas, attracting locals and visitors of all ages for two days of traditional decorations, entertainment, and free family fun.
Colbert County Tourism President Susann Hamlin said, “Locals love Christmas in the Country. It always comes early; just when we are getting into the Christmas spirit. Reminding us of Christmases from our childhood or stories from our parents and grandparents about Christmases gone by, it is a welcomed event, situated in our mountain setting, with live greenery and mistletoe, hot chocolate, and a wagon transporting children throughout the park. It’s fun, it’s our Christmas “kick off”. Meet your friends at Christmas in the Country. You will not want to miss those fried pies or homemade cakes available for purchase at the bake sale.”
Christmas in the Country is held each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving. The fundraising event for the park began several years ago as a Christmas open house where natural, hand-made decorations reflecting the olden days were on display. Today, the event has become much more than an open house and offers a bake sale, arts and crafts, entertainment, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hayrides, and tours of the pioneer village decked out in Christmas past decorations. Guests come early to purchase homemade baked goods for their Thanksgiving table, enjoy hayrides to the old LaGrange Cemetery, make family pictures for their Christmas cards, purchase craft items, and talk with Santa. Guests can relive Christmases of the past while touring the park’s historic log buildings, all decorated for Christmas.
The LaGrange Living Historical Association hosts Christmas in the Country from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. LaGrange College Site Park is located at 1491 LaGrange College Road in Leighton. Admission is free, and donations for the upkeep and maintenance of the facilities at the park are always welcomed.
Visitors are invited to explore the rich history of LaGrange College Site, including guided tours of the log buildings, which will run throughout the day on Saturday. The log kitchen, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, once stood at The Oaks in Tuscumbia, adding a unique layer of history to the park. For young stargazers, the Shoals Astronomy Club will host a special stargazing tour at the LaGrange Observatory, located within the park.
LaGrange College Site is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. LaGrange College was Alabama’s first chartered college and the forerunner of the University of North Alabama. Union forces burned it during the Civil War. Today, the pioneer village includes a picnic pavilion, a memorial monument, several historical markers, a log barn, a smokehouse, a wedding chapel, a barber shop, an outhouse, a log kitchen, a cemetery, a post office, a country store, a blacksmith shop, and a caretaker’s house. For more information on the LaGrange College Site Park, visit www.lagrangehistoricsite.org.
For more information on Christmas in the Country, contact Louise Lenz at 256-446-9324 or Colbert County Tourism at 256-383-0783.
