The Christmas season starts this weekend in Downtown Mocksville, with the popular bed race on Friday night and the Hometown Christmas Parade on Saturday.

The bed race – which includes the lighting of the oak trees and the lights lining the buildings – begins at 6 p.m. Friday.

At least 18 teams have signed up for the bed race. Team members push the beds, which include a rider, in head-to-head competition. Each team should get at least two races.

It all starts with a parade of beds, with the entrants trying to get support from the crowd. After initial races, the teams will be divided into brackets for the next races.

“The teams come up with their own themes,” said volunteer, Jordan Hendrix. “Expect some surprises.”

The Minions will be back, and they may have a fun gun. Camp Manna is back, as is the United Way.

The Mocksville Police Department will again have an entry, and they challenged the Mocksville Fire Department to enter a team.

WXII will have a team in the race, and is scheduled to broadcast live during the event. The station is sponsoring a visit by Second Harvest Food Bank, and spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to help feed the hungry in Northwest North Carolina.

A DJ will be set up playing holiday music.

The festivities continue on Saturday with shops opening and craft vendors beginning at 10:30 a.m. Dewey’s baked goods will be available in a fundraiser for the Davie High School Band. The shop is on the square, sharing space with Endless Possibilities, the shop operated by women from Milling Manor.

The parade begins at 2 p.m., traveling North Main Street from the Brock area to downtown, then turning onto Depot Street.