December PinePitch 2023
Toys for Tots
Eat in or drive thru at the 33rd annual Toys for Tots toy and food drive on Sunday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Beefeater’s Restaurant, 672 S.W. Broad St. in Southern Pines. Sponsored by the Mark “Brook” Westbrook Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the cost is either a $10 per-plate donation, an unwrapped toy, or five cans or boxes of non-perishable food. Of course, more is always better. Santa will be on-site from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The plates are chopped barbecue or grilled chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, rolls, tea or soda, and dessert. There are nuggets for the kids. Word on the street is Santa is a nugget kinda guy.
Elf on Parade
Marching bands and Santa Claus. What’s not to like? The Southern Pines Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Santa does the full loop, beginning at Vermont Avenue, down the west side of Broad Street to Massachusetts Avenue, across the tracks then back up the east side of Broad. If any additional information is necessary you can call the North Pole hotline at (910) 692-7376.
And, if you missed him in Southern Pines, the jolly old rascal will be in Vass for its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. There will food and vendors at the Vass Lakeview School, 141 James St., Vass. For more information call (910) 245-4677 or go to www.townofvassnc.gov.
Keeping Christmas Well
The Uprising Theatre Company will present its inventive re-creation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m., at The Village Chapel, 10 Azalea Road, Pinehurst. Each show will begin with caroling, to get everyone in the mood. There will be additional performances on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21, also at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.
You Say It’s Your Birthday
It’s Sandhills Community College’s 60th anniversary, and everyone is invited to attend the gala celebration on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. The event is for ages 13 and up and the dress is casual but, you know, decent. The lobby opens at 6 p.m. and the curtain rises at 7. The event is free of charge. Tickets can be secured in advance at
www.ticketmesandhills.com.
Look Out Below
The traditional Pine Cone Drop ringing in the New Year (a bit early) will happen on Friday, Dec. 29, near the railway station in Southern Pines from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be live music, carnival games, face painting and early bedtimes for all. For additional information call (910) 692-7376.
Weymouth Wonderland
The Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, will hold its Outdoor Wonderfest and Market Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and again on Sunday, Dec. 3, from noon to 4 p.m. There will be local vendors and artisans to fill Christmas gift lists, crafts, face painting and plenty of food. The marketplace is open to the public. Admission is by any monetary donation. For additional information visit www.weymouthcenter.org.
Lights, Wreaths, Action
The Episcopal Day School will hold its 44th annual Candlelight Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring five unique Pinehurst and Southern Pines houses decked out in full holiday regalia. The tour’s tariff is $20 in advance and $25 the day of. For information and tickets you can go to www.ticketmesandhills.com or visit the Episcopal Day School front office.
A Tradition Like No Other
The annual Murphy Family Christmas Concert features two shows at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For information and ticketing for this must-see annual celebration of the season call (910) 420-2549 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.