<h3><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>The spirit of the season overtook the Beaufort area this weekend, with several special events designed to spread holiday cheer.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b></span></h3>
[caption id="attachment_38472" align="alignright" width="388"]<a href="https://actionclub.site/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/RES0672.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-38472" src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/RES0672-1024x883.jpg" alt="" width="388" height="395"></a> Three-year-old Luke Johnson looks at the top of one of the more than 60 Christmas trees on display at Tabby Place on Wednesday, Dec. 5, during the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser.[/caption]

The Festival of Trees fundraiser for Friends of Caroline Hospice kicked off with the annual Snow Day at Tabby Place, and Santa stopped by the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at White Oak Park in Port Royal later that evening.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The party continued Friday night with the annual Night on the Town event on Bay Street, which coincided with the monthly First Friday celebration. Hundreds of people enjoyed puppet shows, dancers, good food and a concert by the Dirty Boot Brass Brand from Parris Island.

Bad weather over the weekend resulted in the cancellation of the City of the Beaufort’s boat parade, but the rain let up just in time for the annual City of Beaufort Christmas Parade on Sunday.

Thousands braved the cold to watch as floats of every size with all sorts of elves, bands and nativity scenes made their way down the traditional parade route.
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em><strong>The Beaufort Christmas Boat Parade has been re-scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15, at 6 pm.</strong></em></span></p>
<em>Photo at top:&nbsp;Anna Short, center of Every Second Counts Escape Rooms, kicks up her heels during the annual Christmas Parade as it makes its ways down Bay Street on Sunday, December 9. At left is Roman Benjamin. All photos by Bob Sofaly.</em>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Christmas Parade</span></h2>
The rain stopped just in time for the annual City of Beaufort Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec. 9. Thousands braved the cold to come out and watch as floats of every size with all sorts of elves, bands and nativity scenes made their way down the traditional parade route.
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<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Festival of Trees</span></h2>
[caption id="attachment_38484" align="aligncenter" width="1020"]<a href="https://actionclub.site/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/RES0707-1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-38484" src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/RES0707-1-1024x599.jpg" alt="" width="1020" height="597"></a> Scott Monson of Triangle Ice of Savannah sprays out some of the 10 tons of ice needed to create a snow day for children to play in at Tabby Place on Wednesday, Dec. 5, during the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser for Friends of Caroline Hospice. Photos by Bob Sofaly.[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Night on the Town</span></h2>
Bay Street was closed to traffic on Friday, Dec. 7, for the annual Night on the Town to allow hundreds of Christmas revelers to walk freely from business to business and enjoy themselves. There were puppet shows, dancers, good food and a concert by the Dirty Boot Brass Brand from Parris Island.
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<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Port Royal Tree Lighting Ceremony</span></h2>
Town of Port Royal Mayor Sam Murray, right, leads town council members Darryl Owens and Mary Beth Gray-Heyward in the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony near Port Royal Elementary School on Wednesday, Dec. 5, to officially kick off the Christmas season in Port Royal. The festive night culminated with the arrival of Santa Claus himself on a fire truck.
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