You’re Invited: The 50th Annual Bladenboro Christmas Parade

This coming Saturday, I am proud to announce that my hometown of Bladenboro, North Carolina will be the place to be during the annual Christmas parade. Note: The parade time has moved to 9 a.m. because of weather concerns.

Kids, please be on your best behavior because Santa Claus will be the main attraction again this year.

Now, with the parade beginning at 9 a.m., may I recommend to arrive early and find a place in the sun. I think it's always been a bit chilly for the festivities. Many parade attendees will park their vehicle along the parade route and then put down a blanket or wrap up in a throw in order to stay warm.

I mentioned earlier that of course, Santa Claus is the main attraction, but with this being the 50th anniversary of the parade, a couple of other folks will be properly honored as well. They are Jane Walters and Sue Galloway, both of whom helped organize the first parade back in 1973. Thank you Jane and thank you Sue. Without your leadership and commitment, there would be no parade.

Another advantage of getting to downtown Bladenboro early this Saturday morning, is that the merchants will be decorating their store windows. A committee will then judge as to who creates the best themed window. To the merchants, thank you and good luck.

Once the 50th annual Bladenboro Christmas parade has finished, make your way down to the Bladenboro Fire Department for their annual chicken and rice plate sale. Plates are only $8 each and is sponsored by the Bladenboro Firefighters Association. You may dine-in or use the convenient drive-thru. Plates consist of chicken, rice, green beans, bread, dessert and tea or water. There will also be a Bake Sale where you can pick up some delicious desserts for the holiday. The address for the plate sale is 519 West Seaboard Street, Bladenboro, N.C. 28320.

For all of the information on the parade, click here.

The BIG 957 WKML will be looking for you this Saturday.  Merry Christmas!

Now that the Thanksgiving meal is behind us and we are all still feeling more than stuffed, it's time we shift our focus. To more food! Here, we'll cut into four great dinner options to feed the whole family at Christmas dinner.

Yes, Thanksgiving requires a lot of hours in the kitchen. Prepping a turkey, maybe even frying one, takes some proper attention. Then, to some, the most important part is the sides that go with the main attraction. Again, making these side dishes means cooking up a storm. However, perhaps we underappreciate the art of this meal. For the most part, the menu is designed for us. Furthermore, it is consistent every year. All you have to decide is how much to make based around how many people will be gathered around your table.

Fast forward a month, and it's time to prepare another epic holiday meal. In addition to running around to grab last-minute gifts, if you are hosting a Christmas get-together you have to do a lot of preparing, again.

Here, we are going to break down some options to jump-start your Christmas prep. First, let's set the table on some criteria, and some bust some myths. You certainly do not need to reinvent the wheel and cook up something extraordinarily unique. In fact, it's best to keep it simple. Dozens of classic dishes have already been well-established as delicious to satisfy your family, friends, and guests.

The thought process in suggesting these four Christmas dinner options is that they are proven to be delightful. They can also be prepared in large batches that do not require a tremendous amount of hours in the kitchen. These meals are family-friendly and are sharable. Some of them you may even be able to combine together. Again, this list won't spark an idea that's never been cooked up. Perhaps it just serves as a simple reminder that these Christmas dinner menu items can be straightforward and delicious enough.

A large tray of a baked pasta based meal that everyone gets to cut into just feels like a natural option. There's room here to customize your tray of course. Add meat, make it a veggie, or have one of each. Plus, the red sauce nicely compliments your holiday-themed table setting.

We'll need to clarify here, your best bet here is a log shaped filet that can be evenly cut into quarter inch - to half inch slices. There's something festive to carving a meal item in your kitchen, that is freshly cooked. You take pride in hosting and then slicing. You place your sliced filet on that serving platter that is used just once a year, walk it into the dining room and then feel joy when everyone digs in.

It's all about the slow-cooker or crock pot. You can let it warm in the kitchen all day, allowing a sharp aroma to seep into every room the family gathers in. This style is for more of the grab something quick and on-the-go Christmas meal gathering. Perhaps you have people in and out of your house, stopping by for a "cheers" throughout the day. A chili bar never disappoints. Add in your side bowls of shredded cheddar, tortilla crisps, scallions, and sour cream, and you are giving your guests the opportunity to put their own touch on your creation.

This is the meal that gives you the option for a fancier sit-down dinner. The ham centerpiece is typically joined by elegant wine glasses and pre-feast toast. Throw some potato side dishes along with an asparagus or string bean casserole, and your living room is now a fine-dining restaurant. This meal allows you to take your time. The next thing you know, it's dark outside, and you are putting a bow on your enjoyable Christmas night.