North Bryan County is ready to celebrate Christmas with a jam-packed day. On Saturday, Dec. 8, Pembroke will host its 24th Christmas Festival.

"We have got a big day planned and we are still adding to it," said Barbara Dubose of 4-H, who heads the festival committee. "We’ve got in the parade – not counting the Shriners and tractors – about 60 units. This morning we had one number and it’s increased by about seven or eight entries since then. And we’ve also got lots of booths – about 57 to 60, which we’re still adding to. We’re almost full, but we’ve got a little bit of room left."

There will be activities and entertainment all day for all ages, including a moon walk, rock wall, slides, games, etc., scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Entertainment includes Josh Nubern, Pembroke’s Holy Church of God, Mike Reed, Vivian Meyers, Dancin’ Unlimited of Black Creek, Abby Moore and Driven, a Christian rock band, among many others. Booths will be open from 9 a.m. until they run out of good to sell, including Christmas decorations, homemade clothing, needlework, wreaths, wooden furniture and crafts, jewelry and purses. Food booths will include barbecue, Brunswick stew, hamburgers and hotdogs, cakes, pies and cookies and much more.

The Grand Marshal for the day is going to be Johnnie Miller.

"I’ve never been a Grand Marshal before," Miller said, a Pembroke resident for more than 50 years now. "This is the first time for a parade and it’s an honor and a privilege to be chosen. It was nice of them to do that; I’m glad they thought of me. I want everyone to know how thankful I am for them selecting me to be Grand Marshal."

Pembroke’s parade will run for about an hour and will include the Bryan County High School JROTC and band, Rusty’s Antique Relics tractors, lots of floats and marching units, dignitaries, Bryan County officials and many more.

"We’re proud of how much involvement we’ve gotten from the community. It would not be as good as it is without the residents coming out to support it," Dubose said.

Also slated for Saturday, Dec. 8, is the Fort McAllister Winter Muster event. The Muster and Battle of Fort McAllister will start at 10 a.m. and run till 6 p.m., with a Christmas on the Ogeechee lighted boat parade at 6:30 p.m. as the culminating event.

Attendees of the Winter Muster will be able to see the final preparations of the Confederate garrison in anticipation of the attack of the Union army. The final battle of Sherman’s March to the Sea will be reenacted at 4:30 p.m. and a Candle Light tour will follow at 5 p.m. Admission for the day is $4 for adults and $2.50 for children. Call Daniel Brown at 727-2339 for more tour information.

There will be a free shuttle bus from the Fort McAllister parking lot to the marina starting at 5:30 p.m. for Christmas on the Ogeechee. The parade of boats will start at the Fort McAllister State Park pier and run out to the point. Once the last boat passes at around 7:30 p.m., there will be big a fireworks display. Call John at 547-0149 for more information.