Holly Springs Celebrates the Holidays
BY JENNIFER AXNESS
Holly Springs comes alive each holiday season with a variety of activities that offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for town-wide, family-friendly celebrations, a lively holiday farmer’s market or cheerful musical performances, this guide highlights some of the best ways to experience the Holly Springs holiday spirit this year.
Arts and Music
Kick off the festivities with Christmas with The Embers featuring Craig Woolard at the Holly Springs Cultural Center on November 23. A staple in North Carolina’s music scene, The Embers is known for its vibrant beach music. The show promises a delightful mix of holiday favorites and classic tunes that will have you tapping your feet and humming along.
In addition to the parade, families can visit Ting Park for the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce’s Winterfest Artisan Market on December 13 and 14 (tickets go on sale December 2). This event features a the market, a lighted tree trail and other festive attractions, making it the perfect complement to the Happy Holly Days Parade, which rolls on December 14.
Holly Springs High School is hosting two festive winter musical concerts this season. On December 6 the school’s choir will perform in two shows, at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., and the school will hold a band concert on December 13. The groups’ performances are likely to span a diverse repertoire from classic carols to upbeat, contemporary pieces. Music lovers and all attendees will enjoy the festive holiday spirit and the remarkable talent of local high school students.
Light the Springs
Holly Springs’ annual Light the Springs event, taking place this year outside the Holly Springs Cultural Center on December 7, is a magical celebration that truly captures the essence of the holiday season. The town transforms into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and colorful decorations, with events featuring free holiday crafts, live music and a variety of seasonal food and beverages.
Children can meet Santa Claus, write letters to him and engage in other holiday activities designed just for them. (Don’t forget to drop off letters to Santa at Santa’s Mailbox outside Town Hall—volunteers will make sure they reach the North Pole, so Santa can read and respond to them before the holiday!) Anticipation builds toward the end of the event, when the grand finale takes place. The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and menorah is an enchanting moment that brings the community together, creating a shared sense of joy and wonder that perfectly encapsulates the holiday spirit.
Happy Holly Days Parade
Holly Springs’ Happy Holly Days Parade, one of the town’s most cherished traditions, draws residents and visitors alike to Main Street to celebrate. The annual event, which takes place on December 14 this year, features an array of creative holiday-themed floats, performers and marching bands that fill the streets with music and cheer.
The parade also offers a unique opportunity for families to engage with the community. The Holly Springs Fire Department has a special role in escorting Santa Claus on his float, complete with flashing lights and sirens, adding excitement for the young and young at heart. Plan to arrive early, dress warmly and check the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce website for the most up-to-date information regarding the parade’s schedule and route.
Find the Perfect Tree
For those looking to pick out the perfect Christmas tree, Holly Springs offers several great options. The Family Farm on Avent Ferry provides a full holiday experience with high-quality Fraser firs, handmade wreaths and festive photos on Santa’s sleigh. Warm up by their nightly bonfire and soak in the seasonal cheer. Alternatively, Mountain Advantage Christmas Trees offers fresh-cut Fraser firs, wreaths, garlands, tree stands and accessories. Both Mountain Advantage locations (at the intersection of Penny Road and Holly Springs Road, and at Sunset Lake Commons) ensure a memorable tree-buying experience that will immerse you in the holiday spirit.
Food and Drink
If your plans include dining out this season, consider the Pimiento Tea Room, where a warm and cozy atmosphere complements the holiday decorations, and a special family-style menu including festive cocktails and desserts is featured throughout the month of December. The Mason Jar Tavern offers their scratch-made berry cobbler beginning in early November, followed by their annual Thanksgiving special, which starts two weeks before the holiday. They also run the “Fill a Jar” program, which helps local families in need through donations and gift collections. On the theme of giving back, make sure to check the town’s website for details on how families can give back during the holidays through toy drive collection points at fire stations, Town Hall and the Law Enforcement Center.
Holly Springs is brimming with holiday cheer this season. From spectacular musical performances and community parades to festive markets and tree shopping, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate with friends and loved ones.
Where to Go: Holly Springs Bakeries & Sweetshops
Fera’wyn’s Artisan Chocolates
652 Holly Springs Road
ferawyns.com
Fera’wyn’s was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team David and Joana Whittingham. They have been operating their chocolate shop and bakery in Holly Springs since 2018. David and Joana create all their quality truffles, confections and baked goods on-site in their dedicated gluten-free kitchen. Their chocolates range from caramel and toasted coconut to their Finest Selection collection, which includes bourbon truffles, vegan cabernet truffles and their award-winning limoncello truffles. Their baked goods include eclairs, brownies, cookie sandwiches and other delicious treats.
Bestow Baked Goods
4208 Lassiter Road, Holly Springs
bestowbakedgoods.com
Bestow Baked Goods makes all its baked goods from scratch daily. They offer three classic cookie flavors and over 16 different kinds of cupcakes. Featured flavors rotate every week. Bestow is also a full-service cake bakery with 18 different cake styles that can be customized for any occasion.
Asia’s Cakes
113 N. Main Street, Holly Springs
asiascakes.com
At Asia’s Cakes you’ll find a variety of cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies and pastries. Custom orders are the backbone of the bakery’s business; their cakes come in many customizable flavors and options, and other baked goods and seasonal desserts are available to order as well. Or just stop by to enjoy a cup of coffee and a sweet at their brick-and-mortar location on Main Street.
Sugar Snap Treats
5301 Yorkville Court, Holly Springs
sugarsnaptreats.com
Sugar Snap Treats provides a different and crunchy twist on popular candies: They are freeze-dried. Their offerings range from traditional sweets, such as peach rings and gummy bears, to more creative ones, like root beer float saltwater taffy and caramel shortbread snaps. Sugar Snap Treats is a home-based business with hours from noon–5:00 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays only.
Inmates to Entrepreneurs: Helping people with criminal records change their lives through economic opportunity
BY KYLE MARIE McMAHON | PHOTOS COURTESY OF INMATES TO ENTREPRENEURSS
Because a criminal record often deters employers from hiring them, former prisoners can find it difficult to gain legal employment. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, even during the booming labor market of 2021, only 49% of previously incarcerated individuals were able to find work within a year of release. Those who did earned a median salary of only $7,500 per year. This problem contributes to recidivism, with nearly two-thirds of former inmates returning to prison within three years.
Employment that pays a living wage has been demonstrated in numerous studies to be one of the best deterrents for recidivism. Therefore, Brian Harrison, one of the co-founders of Inmates to Entrepreneurs, says “The goal of Inmates to Entrepreneurs has always been to reduce the rate at which people return to prison by providing a path to financial stability and success. We do this by teaching people with criminal records how to start their own businesses.”
Started in 1992 by Brian Hamilton and the Rev. Robert J. Harris, Inmates to Entrepreneurs offers prisoners and former prisoners free online classes on how to start, run and grow their own businesses. The National Course meets every week on Zoom for eight weeks, providing participants with live access to educators. Starter U is a 12-week, self-paced version for those unable to make it to the live meetings. The organization also works with correctional facilities to provide entrepreneurial boot camps for currently incarcerated individuals.
After 32 years, Inmates to Entrepreneurs is still going strong. “Today, over 25,000 people are taking our entrepreneurship course on tablets in prisons across the U.S. We have graduates in every state except Alaska … Hearing from our graduates about how the program has changed their lives and the course they were on is incredible,” says Hamilton.
Learn more about the organization at inmatestoentrepreneurs.org
