PINEHURST — The most wonderful time of the year is here, and Pinehurst isn’t holding back when it comes to its Christmas Festival, taking place the evening of Friday, Dec. 9 and all day Saturday, Dec. 10.

This is the second year Pinehurst has held its festival, with Miranda Elam as the leader, who wanted to have a weekend where locals could come together and focus on hope, community and togetherness.

Adults and children can build a house for the Pinehurst Christmas gingerbread house contest, as there are two separate groups and more than $200 in cash and prizes for the lucky winner of each group. Drop your houses off at the Lion’s building on Dec. 9 between 3-8 p.m., with the winner announced Saturday. The home must be 80% edible and be on a solid structure with a tag that includes the contestant’s name and phone number. Children’s tags should also have their ages.

The Christmas Craft Fair will be bustling with shoppers searching for that perfect holiday gift at Pinehurst Elementary School on Friday evening from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Do you have a brag-worthy chili recipe? Bring it on down to the Pinehurst Chili Cook-Off Challenge at the PK Lion’s Club building. It’s asked that you bring your chili in a crockpot and any sides you would like to add. Prizes will be awarded to the top three chili’s and are judged by the public. Anyone who would like to judge can go to the Lion’s Club building between 5-8 p.m. Friday to eat and judge some chili.

After buying the perfect gift and sampling some chili, grab a map from the Lion’s building to check out the beautifully decorated houses, or check out the Christmas Scavenger Hunt, both happening from 6-8 p.m. Friday night.

The list of participating decorated houses will be available at the Lion’s building and the scavenger hunt rules.

While all this is happening, the Lion’s building will also be hosting the Country Christmas Ho Ho HoDown from 5-7 p.m. to enjoy Christmas music and win cakes.

After going home and resting with visions of sugarplums, Saturday will start with some cookie decoration, ornament making, and letters to Santa in the Lion’s Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as a silent basket auction, also from 10-2. Around 20 different baskets are being auctioned off, with themes like "I’ll be gnome for Christmas" and "He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice."

The festivities will end with a Christmas parade at 5 p.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus helping with the lighting ceremony at the bike park.

The planning committee currently consists of Elam, Kattie Ross, Ariel Morgan, Madison and Maizie Burns, Danna DeShazer, Debbie Mann and Chase Nutter, but they are always looking for volunteers. Contact Miranda Elam if you are interested in volunteering.

“Everyone from the Silver Valley is welcome to come and enjoy the fun!” Elam said. “We would really like to thank everyone who donated, but especially Menkes Tree Service for all their help with the lights on our big tree. Thank you to the city of Pinehurst, PK Lions and my husband Nick Elam for the countless hours.”

For more information, visit the Pinehurst Christmas Festival Facebook page.