Christmas at Sorghum Valley spreads holiday cheer to young and old

Thousands of lights glitter in the night as Christmas in Sorghum Valley brought hundreds of people to experience Christmas the way it used to be.

Strolling choirs sang Christmas classics to visitors as they sipped hot chocolate and coffee. Some ate s'mores and caught up with old friends, while others admired the many decorated Christmas trees.

Sarah Collins (left) with the Dyersburg FFA Chapter reads a Christmas story to 9-year-old Jade Andrew (middle) and 6-year-old Faith Parker (far right). [Click to enlarge]

"We love everything about it," said Denise Barker. "We have enjoyed every minute of it. It's fun."

Adults and children dropped into the one-room schoolhouse to hear the Dyersburg FFA Chapter read Christmas stories. Employees of First Citizen's National Bank read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and gave everyone s'mores at the replica bank on the grounds.

Temperatures are expected to warm up for Friday evening's Christmas in Sorghum Valley.

"To be as cold as it is, we are extremely pleased with the turnout," said Dyer County Fair President Patti Greene. "It's not supposed to be as cold tomorrow and we hope everybody comes out."

These three wise men, Joseph and Mary, the baby Jesus and an angel celebrate the birth of Christ as part of the living nativity scene at Christmas in Sorghum Valley. [Click to enlarge]

Christmas in Sorghum Valley will run through Saturday, Dec. 12, from 6-9 p.m. The price of admission is only a donation. People may donate canned good(s), animal food, coats, and eyeglasses to benefit local charity programs.

Members of the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church Male Chorus perform Christmas classics to a crowd of visitors inside the church at Sorghum Valley. The group sang at different locations adding to the Christmas spirit of the evening. From left: Terry McCreight, Larry Williams, Ray Eison, Clifton Rieves, Carlos Doss, George Mitchell and Dossie Grandberry. [Click to enlarge]

For more information, contact Darrell and Jean Butler at 731-285-2671.

Sarah Collins (left) with the Dyersburg FFA Chapter reads a Christmas story to 3-year-old Mia Minor (right) inside the old school house during Thursday evening's Christmas in Sorghum Valley. Collins is a junior at Dyersburg High School and would read to groups of children as part of the chapter's 'Old Fashioned Christmas Reading'. The children would marvel at the rustic surroundings and listen attentively to Collins. The chapter will be accepting books as donations to go to those who are less fortunate. [Click to enlarge]

Members of the Dyersburg High School Choir sing to visitors of Christmas in Sorghum Valley. Their voices echoed throughout the valley as they caroled into the evening. [Click to enlarge]

Tracey Wiley of Newbern performs basket weaving inside one of the rooms at Sorghum Valley. She uses processed marsh grass to make her baskets, which she has been doing for a year. This particular basket will take approximately six hours to complete. Visitors can watch as she weaves and ask her questions about her craft. [Click to enlarge]

Joseph Townson (far left) and Darrell Butler (far right) with the Dyer County Fair chat with Emmalene Eidson Yates (second from left) and her son, Joe Yates (second from right). The one-room schoolhouse at Sorghum Valley is dedicated to Emmalene Yates' late husband, Billy Yates. He was a strong supporter of education and the Dyer County Fair. Townson and Butler are credited with carrying on Yates' enthusiasm in improving the Dyer County Fair. [Click to enlarge]