What's Happening in Cherokee County

The Cherokeean Herald welcomes announcements for publication in our weekly edition. Please submit calendar information by noon Friday for publication in the following Wednesday’s edition of our paper. Send information to [email protected].

OCT. 24

The Cherokee County Public Health Department will host a drive-through flu clinic, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at 803 College Ave. in Jacksonville. The clinic site will be located in the back parking lot of the public health department. Cost is $10 per vaccine; attendees are asked to donate two canned goods per vaccine for the pantry at The H.O.P.E. Center.

The H.O.P.E. Center’s pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at 595 S. Ragsdale St. In Jacksonville. COVID-19 precautions will be observed. Call 903-586-7781 prior to arrival and we will get your groceries ready for curbside delivery.

The Smith County Sherriff’s Office will host an Rx Takeback event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Brookshire’s Grocery, located at Rice Road and South Broadway. In Cherokee County, permanent collection boxes are located in the Jacksonville Police Department Lobby at 210 W. Larissa St., CVS Pharmacy, 824 S. Jackson St., and Walmart Supercenter, 1311 S. Jackson St.

Rusk's KOA Holiday full-service campground will host its first annual Hilltop Jamboree, 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, a free concert featuring local musician Michael Knight, Heather Van Derin and more. A classic car show also will be held on site during the event. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food bank. The event will be held on a four-acre area to accomodate social distancing. The campground is located at 745 FM 343 East in Rusk.

OCT. 21-31

This year's annual Scarecrow Trail will be held daily, Monday through Friday, Oct. 24-31, at the Ruth B. Nichols Arboretum, 1015 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville. Admission is $1 or 1 canned good item, which will benefit The H.O.P.E. Center.

OCT. 26

Craving some down-home cooking? Sylvia Mae's Soul Food is preparing a take-out soul food dinner Monday, Oct. 26, to benefit The H.O.P.E. Center, 595 S. Ragsdale St. in Jacksonville. Cost is $15 per plate or $25 for two, with meals available from 4 to 8 p.m. On the menu are chicken spaghetti, tomato-cucumber salad, fried cabbage, cornbread and banana pudding. Plates may be purchased before-hand by contacting the H.O.P.E office, 903-586-7781, or https://go.rallyup.com/hope-fundraiser. Reservations are encouraged.

OCT. 28

Tricks-N-Treats will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in downtown Alto along Commerce street, while a "Vampires Need Your Blood" donation drive hosted by Gulfcoast/Blood Center of East Texas will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Free antibody testing is available.

OCT. 29

Rusk's new Cline Family Medical Center will host a groundbreaking ceremony, 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at 1400 Dickenson Dr. Clinic members also will host a walk-in flu shot clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 noon; cost is $25 per person, if not filing on insurance. To learn more about the clinic, all 936-559-8770.

OCT. 31

Celebrate Halloween with the Wells Police Department who will be handing out hot dogs/chili dogs, chips, drinks and candy to trick-or-treaters and their parents, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

NOV. 7

Trail to Christ Cowboy Church will host its "At the Cross Classic" fall show, Saturday, Nov. 7. Check-in is from 6 to 8 a.m., followed by the 9 a.m. show at the Cherokee County Show Barn, 611 E. Loop 456 in Jacksovnille. Cost is $25 per entry, with prizes awarded in the following categories: steers and heifers, American-English-Exotic, market lambs and goats, market barrows and market gilts. To learn more, contact Ward McCown, 903-787-2244.

The Children's Christmas Tree, which provides gifts for children in need at Christmastime, will be taking applications from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the H.O.P.E. Center, 595 S. Ragsdale St. in Jacksonville.

NOV. 28

A tree-lighting ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in downtown Rusk, kicking off holiday festivities in town. Vendor booths, "Fleas Navidad" pet parade, corporate challenges, concerts and other entertainment are planned through 7 p.m. Contact the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, [email protected], to learn more.

DEC. 1

Rusk's annual Christmas parade begins 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1. downtown.

DEC. 5

A golf tournament at Birmingham Golf Course, a Christmas Tree Stroll at the Rusk Civic Center and a holiday murder mystery at The Daily Grind are all on tap Saturday, Dec. 5. Contact the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, [email protected], to learn more.

DEC. 11-13

"Miracle on 34th Street" will be staged at the Cherokee Civic Theatre, Dec. 11-13. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Purchase tickets at www.cherokeetheatre.net.