Contact Us: 336-284-2141
Zachary House, 131 Church Street, Cooleemee, NC 27014

Town of Cooleemee

Category: Holidays

Celebrate the Season: Festive Christmas Events in Cooleemee

Posted on by Jeanna White

Looking for ways to get into the holiday spirit in Cooleemee? Mark your calendar for two exciting events filled with holiday cheer! From a cozy breakfast with Santa to a festive parade and a traditional holiday gathering, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas season.

Breakfast with Santa at the Cooleemee Fire Department

Date: November 23, 9–11 a.m.
Location: Cooleemee Fire Department, 174 Marginal Street

Kick off the holiday season with the Cooleemee Fire Department’s Breakfast with Santa! This special event is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a morning filled with holiday activities and festive treats. Admission is an unopened toy to support the fire department’s toy drive for Western North Carolina, helping bring joy to families in need this Christmas. Toy donations will be accepted until the first week of December, so even if you can’t attend, feel free to stop by and drop off a toy.

Children can enjoy making Christmas crafts, writing letters to Santa, and, of course, meeting Santa himself! It’s a perfect way to get little ones excited for the holiday season while contributing to a good cause.

Cooleemee Christmas Parade

Date: November 30, 4 p.m.
Location: Starts at Cooleemee Elementary School, ending at the Zachary House

Get ready to watch the streets of Cooleemee come alive with holiday spirit at the annual Christmas Parade! Starting at Cooleemee Elementary School and winding its way to the historic Zachary House, this beloved tradition brings together friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the season. If you would like to be part of the magic, plan to be at Cooleemee Elementary at 3 p.m. to join the parade lineup.  

Old Time Christmas at the Zachary House

Immediately following the Cooleemee Christmas Parade

After the parade, head over to the Zachary House for Old Time Christmas, hosted by the Cooleemee Historical Association (CHA), Town of Cooleemee, and The Bridge Church. This classic Christmas celebration offers festive activities and delicious treats for all ages. 

This year, the Cooleemee Historical Association (CHA) is reviving a cherished tradition: the fudge contest! “Everyone always loved it, and it’s exciting to bring it back this year,” shared former Cooleemee Mayor John Chandler, who served as mayor for an impressive 20 years before retiring in 2019. Chandler, who originally introduced the contest in the early 2000s, is thrilled to see its return, promising a sweet dose of nostalgia for the community

All types of fudge are welcome. Bring your entry to the Zachary House by 3 p.m. on November 30th to be included in the contest. The fudge will be served at the dessert table, and the winner will be announced during the Old Time Christmas celebration. The winner will receive bragging rights and their name engraved on the trophy. For more information, call John Chandler at (336) 940-0848.

Other activities will include: 

  • A visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus
  • Readings of the Christmas Story and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas
  • Desserts, hot chocolate, and cider to keep you warm and cozy

Experience the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas and create memories that will last a lifetime. These festive events promise to fill your holiday season with joy and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this magical time of year in Cooleemee!

Follow the Town of Cooleemee on Facebook for updates! 

Celebrate Independence Day in Cooleemee with a Parade, Fun Activities, and Free Treats!

Posted on by Jeanna White

Get ready for a fantastic Independence Day celebration in the Town of Cooleemee on Thursday, July 4th. This year’s festivities promise fun for the whole family with a lively parade, fun for the kids, and delicious treats to keep everyone cool and refreshed.

Parade Details

The celebration kicks off with a patriotic parade starting at 10 a.m. at Cooleemee Elementary School. Don’t miss the chance to see beautifully decorated lawnmowers, bikes, tractors, floats, and community groups showcasing their patriotic spirit. The parade will make its way through town and conclude at the historic Zachary House, also known as Town Hall.

If you’d like to participate in the parade, simply arrive at Cooleemee Elementary School by 9 a.m. to line up and get ready to join the procession.

Post-Parade Festivities

After the parade, the fun doesn’t stop! Head over to the Zachary House / Town Hall for an array of enjoyable activities:

  • Hot Dogs and Drinks: Savor the taste of summer with hot dogs and refreshing beverages available for purchase.
  • Free Watermelon and Ice Pops: Beat the heat with complimentary watermelon slices and ice pops, perfect for cooling down.
  • Slip-n-Slide: Kids (and the young at heart) can enjoy an exhilarating Slip-n-Slide, open to all ages until 12:00 p.m.

This Independence Day celebration is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and make lasting memories.

For more information about the parade or other celebration activities, please contact Town Hall at 336-284-2141 or email scorriher@cooleemee.org.

Photos thanks to KC Smith.

Egg Drop in Cooleemee a Huge Success!

Posted on by KC Smith

On Saturday, March 30th, The Bridge Church, located at 191 Main Street in Cooleemee, sponsored an egg drop at the Cooleemee Fire Department.

Josh Ijames provided hayrides, while the Bridge donated free hotdogs, cotton candy, flavored ice, popcorn, and water.

A food truck served free ice cream until they ran out.  

Wristbands divided the children’s age groups so the egg drop could be fair and safe.

a person with their arms up in the air at an easter egg hunt event
Pastor Justin Blue of The Bridge Church

Pastor Justin Blue wore a mic, which helped him to manage the large groups.  He certainly had a way to get everyone’s attention; this event was definitely not his first rodeo!

The candy-filled eggs were dropped from firetruck #13’s bucket while the crowd gave a resounding countdown. 

a person holding a bucket of colored eggs
three children are standing in front of a building holding baskets

Faith Ann was walking toward her mother with a bucket of eggs, with a nice dome on top that was about to flow over the edge.  

She happened to pass a younger girl who had a very small amount of eggs in her basket.  Faith Ann turned around and put eggs in the little girl’s basket.  Her kindness and compassion weren’t overlooked. How about Faith leading by example?

The energy surrounding the event was happiness, and by far, the event exceeded any and all expectations.    

a fire truck is dropping colorful easter eggs from the extension ladder
two men cooking hot dogs on a grill outside
a group of children sitting on the grass with their easter baskets
a little person wearing a rainbow skirt and hat at an event
Children gather the easter eggs on the ground after the Cooleemee fir truck dropped them in the egg drop

A big thank you to all the volunteers of the Bridge Church.  This egg drop event was a huge success! Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com or 336-250-1133. I would love to hear from you.      

Dancing the Afternoon Away – Cooleemee Elementary School Celebrated Valentine’s with a Dance 

Posted on by KC Smith

Cooleemee Elementary School had the gym popping with vibrations of music, twirling, jumping, and laughter, for it was the special time to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Hot pizza was brought in, and boy, did it smell good!  Candy and snacks were available for the students to purchase as they went through the line to pick up a big slice of pepperoni pizza.

It’s so much fun watching girls and boys roam around the room with uninhibited manners.  Two boys said they were having a good time just walking around and talking to each other, and girls dancing in a circle, holding hands or twirling in their pretty dresses.  It sent the message they were happy and joyful.

Some fifth graders felt awkward and bored.  I reminded them that next year, they would be with the older kids when they went to middle school, and their faces lit up.

Some schools divide the age groups up: kindergartens and first grade, second and third graders, and fourth and fifth graders.  The times are divided among the total. 

This may take additional planning and organization but all in all, the majority had a great time this year. 

Thank you, teachers and volunteers, for giving the students another event to create more memories that they will remember for a lifetime.

Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com; I would love to hear from you.

Come One, Come All: Cooleemee Christmas Parade Saturday, December 16th! 

Posted on by Jeanna White

The Town of Cooleemee will host its annual Christmas parade at  2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16th.

The parade will begin at Cooleemee Elementary School at 136 Marginal Street and end at the Zachary House at 131 Church Street.

Families will gather on the grounds of the Zachary House after the parade for music, stories, fellowship, and free food.  Bring your S’Mores sticks and enjoy roasting marshmallows by the fire.

Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for a chat and pictures with the children.

Want to enter a float, car, bike, or walk in the parade? Simply show up at the Cooleemee Elementary School beginning at 1 p.m. to join in the fun. There is no fee, and pre-registration isn’t necessary.

For more information, contact Steve Corriher at 336-284-2141 or  scorriher@cooleemee.org.

Cooleemee Egg Hunt Fun for All Despite the Rain

Posted on by KC Smith

(L to R) Mayor Jessica Almond, Commissioner Jeannie Taylor, Helen Daywalt, Town Clerk Aaron Thies

Cooleemee’s Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 8th, was cold, rainy, and wet. Understandably, many children stayed home where it
was warm and dry, but the ones who were brave enough to show up had a great time. Umbrellas came in handy for collecting the egg shells after goodies were found inside.

The egg hunt was divided into three age groups, and each had three special eggs with winning tickets inside. Easter baskets filled
with goodies and prizes were handed to all winners. Peter Rabbit was there to have pictures taken with the children, who were happy to see him.

One little guy took his hat off, and Peter Rabbit tossed an egg inside for a treat. After saying to the boy, “Wow, you have so many potatoes in your bucket!” he said, “They are not potatoes!” “Well, then, what are they?” “They are eggs!” Without a doubt, each kid knew why they were there. . . To find and collect as many eggs as they could! Each and everyone left with smiles, including the parents, because their children had such fun.

Basket winner Aylan Osborne

Cooleemee Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8th

Posted on by Jeanna White

Get your Easter basket ready! Cooleemee will host its annual Easter egg hunt at the Zachary House on Saturday, April 8th, 2023, at 10 a.m. SHARP.

This event is for children 0-10, and there will be prizes for everyone. 

The Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures, so bring your cameras and plan to have a fun-filled morning in Cooleemee. 

Download and print your Cooleemee Easter Egg Hunt poster below.

EASTER EGG HUNT 2023Download

Cooleemee’s Christmas Parade – December 17 at 2 p.m.

Posted on by Cooleemee Admin

Cooleemee’s Christmas parade is back again this year. Come out on December 17th at 2 p.m. to join in the fun.

The lineup will begin at 1 p.m. at Cooleemee Elementary School, and everyone is welcome to participate; no pre-registration is required.

Pictures With Santa

After the parade, bring the kids to Zachary House at 131 Church Street in Cooleemee, NC 27014 for a visit and pictures with Santa! Pictures with Santa will be available after the parade if the weather permits.

Ole Time Christmas 2021

Posted on by KC Smith

How good it felt to hear the squeaky screen door of the Zachary House as kindergarten children from Cooleemee School entered to hear Christmas stories of long ago. December 3rd 2021, four classes enjoyed the Ole Time Christmas teachings sponsored by the CHA (Cooleemee Historical Association.)


This annual event is scheduled each year, but with the restrictions of COVID, several events were cancelled in the past few years so having the opportunity to begin again was good. The four classes were split up into two groups. Buses aren’t needed for transport to Church Street because it’s only about 2 blocks away with safety walking on the sidewalk.


The students were greeted with a warm welcome before starting their tour and were given a brief overview of what to expect during their visit. Antique toys were on display upstairs and they were allowed to gently touch and play with them. The young children were shocked to hear toys 100 years ago didn’t have batteries and that children their age had very few toys at all.

Oranges were very hard to come by in those days so it was very special to find one on Christmas morning as a gift. Nuts and additional candies were extra special. The cedar tree stood tall and grand as each child hung their handmade ornament and threw real pieces of cotton on the tree to resemble snow.

They were told their decorations made the tree very beautiful. The kindergarteners learned most households went into the woods to cut down a cedar tree for their families Christmas tree and drug it home. One child spoke up and said, “you could lay it down in the back’” they quickly learned they had to drag it home because they didn’t have a car. There was silence by all.


Bonnie Byerly taught the children how to roll an orange around on a table to make it juicy inside and then cut a hole in the side. By putting a peppermint stick in the hole you’ve made yourself a fresh homemade juice drink.


On their walk back to school, each carried a ‘poke’ with an orange, peppermint stick and candy inside. The CHA enjoys teaching children what it was like a long time ago in Cooleemee. Christmas time was a lot different back then. Young and old may not have had a lot but what they did have was enough to be happy sitting at a table having Christmas breakfast together.

May we all find time to enjoy special moments that money can’t buy like cutting a hole in an orange for a friend or family member, then hand them a peppermint stick for the straw.


Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com or call, 336-250-1133. I would love to hear from you.