Rabun County will see runners, decorators, marchers and Santa invade their stores and streets during a smattering of activities the first two weeks of the holiday shopping season.

Racers will kick start the activities with the Clayton Cluckers Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.

Registration will be at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, in downtown Clayton

The inaugural 5-kilometer race through downtown will go to benefit the Rabun County Food Pantry. Although there is an entry fee, participants are asked to bring canned food for donation to the Food Distribution at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church.

Children and adults may dress up in their favorite Thanksgiving costume for the Fun Run.

For more information, contact Jenny Wilson at 706-982-1284 or email fromageclayton@yahoo.com.

One day later, the Holiday Shopping Extravaganza and Festival of Trees will begin at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday at the Rabun County Civic Center.

Visitors will see handmade crafts, art and jewelry and may partake of food at the event.

Local organizations will decorate Christmas tree in different themes and then donate them for a silent auction. Proceeds from the Festival of Trees auction will benefit a local charity.

For more information, call Margaret Dunn at 706-982-9432.

On Saturday, Santa will appear at the Rock House on Main Street in downtown Clayton.

He will visit with children of all ages from noon to 3 p.m. and take pictures with them, too.

The following weekend, Charity Lane will occur Dec. 6-8 in Wolffork Valley, off 441 North Rabun Gap.

In the 7-mile stretch of road starting at Don’s Mobile on 441 in Mountain City and ending at the Alumni House at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, a spectacle of Christmas lights will delight motorists from 5:30-11 p.m.

Tickets are a $10 donation per car.

At last, the Christmas Parade will close out events Saturday, Dec. 7.

The parade will be from 5-7 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Clayton.