Vance County Arts Council

Holiday Downtown Window Decorating Contest 2025
2025-11-17 12:00 - 2025-12-05 17:00 (America/New_York) | Downtown Henderson, NC
The City of Henderson Downtown Development Commission invites you to share your holiday spirit in the 2025 Window Decorating Contest. Help brighten our downtown as shoppers and visitors enjoy creative seasonal displays throughout the day and into the evening.
Participants are encouraged to design their most festive window scenes. Judging will be based on creativity, originality, and overall theme. Windows will be viewed during both daylight and nighttime hours, so be sure your display shines at any time.
Prizes will be awarded as Visa gift cards
First Place 100 dollars
Second Place 50 dollars
Third Place 25 dollars
Windows should be fully decorated by Friday, December 5. To enter, complete the contest form with your name, the address of the decorated window, and a telephone number, then email it to alicevc2002@yahoo.com
Entry form is here! https://vanceartscouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Window-Decorating-Contest.pdf
For more information, call Alice at 252 767 4579.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy 2025
2025-11-29 16:00 - 18:00 | McGregor Hall, 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, NC, 27536, United States
For ten years, Tidings of Comfort and Joy has been bringing the community together in celebration of the season. This free pre-Christmas show will take place at McGregor Hall on Saturday, November 29 at 4:00 pm, and we are inviting you to join us as a presenting sponsor or advertising partner.
Your support will put your company or group in front of a wide audience through event promotions online, on Facebook, and in our full-color printed program book distributed to all attendees. It is a powerful opportunity to align your name with an event that uplifts, entertains, and inspires.
The Vance County Arts Council, a nonprofit organization, is proud to present this annual gift to the community. Our mission is to provide quality multicultural programming free of charge, with a special focus on school-aged children, at-risk youth, adults with disabilities, and the public as a whole. Contributions from sponsors and advertisers make it possible to hire artists, purchase program materials, and secure welcoming spaces for our audiences.
The Arts Council also receives annual funding from the North Carolina Arts Council, which requires us to match every dollar with local support. Through this, we are able to award Grassroots Subgrants to organizations that enrich our region with art programs. Perry Memorial Library, for example, has used these funds to host the Annual Storytelling Festival year after year.
Join us in sustaining the tradition of Tidings of Comfort and Joy and help us share the magic of the arts with our community.

Message from Fundraising Committee

How You Can Get Involved
We are offering several ways for individuals, families, and businesses to participate. Please review the forms below to choose the opportunity that works best for you.
1. Souvenir Program Book Ad Form
Promote your business, organization, or family by purchasing an advertisement in our full-color printed program. Every attendee receives a copy of this keepsake booklet, making it a meaningful way to reach the community while supporting the arts.

Souvenir Program Book Ad Form

2. 2025 Holiday Pageant Participation Form
Parents may enter their children in the Holiday Pageant for a chance to shine on stage and take part in exciting activities. By signing, you also grant permission for your child to be photographed and videoed for Arts Council promotion.
Highlights include:• Professional photos on Saturday, November 8 at 1:00 pm at 2114 North Woodland Rd, Henderson (please wear “Sunday Best”)• Each contestant must raise at least $100 to be on the court• Ads and funds due Saturday, November 8 by 1:00 pm• Every contestant receives a gift bag and a gift presented from the stage• All contestants ride the VCAC float in the Henderson Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2 (line up at Walgreens by 1:15 pm)• The top two female and two male winners receive 10% of the funds they raise in addition to other items• Contestants must arrive at McGregor Hall by 3:30 pm on November 29 for group pictures before the concert• Pageant winners will be crowned during the Tidings of Comfort and Joy concert at McGregor Hall

2025 Holiday Pageant Participation Form

3. Holiday Royal Pageant Fundraiser Form
Support the Holiday Pageant by agreeing to sell raffle tickets. This form ensures accountability for tickets and funds. Participants are financially responsible for returning all tickets, unsold tickets, and cash collected. In the event of lost or stolen tickets or funds, reimbursement to the Vance County Arts Council will be required.

Holiday Royal Pageant Fundraiser Form]

Henderson, NC Christmas Parade 2025
2025-12-06 14:30 - 16:00 | Downtown Henderson, NC
The Vance County Arts Council is pleased to announce the return of the Downtown Henderson Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2025. This annual event brings the community together to celebrate the holiday season with music, floats, and festive spirit in downtown Henderson.
Parade Details
The parade will begin at 2:30 PM in downtown Henderson.
Floats, fire trucks, and vehicles with trailers should line up on Raleigh Road (at Burger King) between 1:15 PM and 1:40 PM.
All other parade entries should arrive between 1:30 PM and no later than 2:00 PM.
The parade will conclude on Rose Avenue. Parents should pick up children in the courthouse parking lot on Rose Avenue after the parade.
Participate in the Parade
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
Community participation is the heart of this event. We invite:
Local businesses and community organizations
Schools, marching bands, and dance teams
Churches, civic groups, and neighborhood associations
Fire departments, classic cars, and festive floats
A PDF registration form is available for download below:
https://vanceartscouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Christmas-Parade-2025-Rules-and-Regulations-2.pdf
Please complete and return it along with your entry fee by the deadline below.
Entry Deadline
All entry forms and fees must be received by Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Please note that no one will be allowed to participate without an entry form submitted by the deadline.
Professional Floats
Professional floats are available through Triangle Float Company.
Contact Mark Harris at trianglefloats@yahoo.com
or 919-410-5543 for details.
Contact Information
For additional information, contact:
Dr. Alice Clark Sallins, Parade Organizer
252-767-4579
