With a light drizzle that turned to a steady rain, the kickoff of the 2009 Christmas on the Cumberland still managed to draw a crowd. Several hundred people came to see Mayor Johnny Piper, Santa Claus, Miss Tennessee International, Mrs. Fort Campbell, Charlie Brown, & News Channel 4’s Snowbird flip the switch lighting of over 1 million lights lining both sides of Riverside Drive, and the Riverwalk. Christmas carolers from Austin Peay State University provided the pre-ceremony entertainment.
Santa Claus was on hand to pose for pictures with attendees. For those who were unable to make it to the grand opening.
Christmas on the Cumberland officially opened November 24th and runs through January 1st. It will be open to the public nightly from 5-10p.m. and 5-11p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission to the event is free.
This year’s Christmas on the Cumberland will feature two nights of family fun in Santa’s Workshop. On December 18 children and parents can come and decorate their own Christmas cookies supplied by Kroger. Children and their parents can return the following night on December 19 to create wooden Christmas ornaments with materials provided by Lowes Home Improvement. Participation in Santa’s workshop is 6-8p.m. or until supplies run out, in the RiverWalk Museum.
Visitors can also enjoy performances by local dance academies during Christmas on the Cumberland. On November 27 Christy’s Dance Connection, Natalie’s Dance Network and Acro Dance Express will perform beginning at 6p.m. Lana’s Dance Center will perform November 28 at 6:45p.m.
Christmas on the Cumberland is presented by the City of Clarksville and is sponsored by Wendy’s, The Leaf Chronicle, Charter Communications, Clarksville Family Magazine, WJZM, Lamar Advertising, TVClarksville.com, Q108 FM, The Beaver 100.3 FM, Eagle 94.3 FM, and Z97.5 FM, among others.
For more information on Christmas on the Cumberland visit the official web site, or call Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation at 931-645-7476.
