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The Town of Manteo will kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the town Christmas tree downtown on Friday, December 2 at 6 p.m. Enjoy Christmas carols, dancing, hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, reindeer games, and a special guest reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

The fun continues on Saturday, December 3 at 10:30 a.m. with the 50th annual Christmas parade! The parade route winds its way through the streets of downtown beginning at Manteo High School and ending at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum.

Participating in the parade are beautifully decorated floats, bands, dancers and Christmas characters. First, second and third place awards will be presented to the best and most creative participants in the parade.

On Friday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m., Santa will be making an appearance in Manteo neighborhoods on the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department truck to greet children with a wave and a great big “HO HO HO!” Check the Manteo Facebook page for Santa’s route.

Local businesses and organizations are invited to participate in the “Making Storefronts Bright” contest again this year. Festive storefronts will be entered into a random drawing for prizes.

The little red mailbox downtown by the town Christmas tree is in place this year for children wishing to drop off letters to Santa.

The town’s staff members extend their thanks to the Roanoke Island Garden Club for organizing the wreath contest every year. Wreaths are decorated by local businesses and organizations and hung throughout downtown Manteo. The winning wreaths are hung in special locations for all to enjoy.

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