Fayetteville Main Street officially marks the beginning of the Main Street Holiday Season with the return of the Downtown Christmas Parade and the 18th Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 4. The public is invited to gather downtown for a fun celebration that concludes with complimentary carriage rides with Santa beginning at 7 p.m. The parade starts promptly at 4:30 pm and will ride through the downtown square. Across the street at the Gazebo, Big Daddy’s Hot Dogs will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs at an affordable price for the spectators before, during and after the parade. Then beginning at 6 pm, Heritage Christian Church’s Dickens Village characters will serve free hot chocolate. Blue Donkey Coffee will be offering free samples of their coffee, which can also be purchased from them that night for a great Christmas gift. Aaron Rents will also be serving up free popcorn.
Entertainment at the tree will also begin at 6 p.m. and will feature Jason Bowen, a local recording artist, producer and songwriter who has toured with Barry Manilow and written or produced hit songs in several genres including rock, country and gospel. Also included in this year’s line-up are performances by the Heritage ensemble, as well as other local talent throughout the evening.
This year’s honored guest performing the actual “lighting” of the tree will be Matthew Stoehr from the Joseph Sams School. The Joseph Sams School, staff and children will be performing immediately following the lighting of the tree.
Main Street will be receiving non-perishable food items that night to support their partnership with the Fayette Samaritans again this year to help fill their pantry. As early as November 22, citizens can drop off non-perishable food items at the “Little Red Mill” donation area located at the Historic Depot and Welcome Center located at 250 E. Lanier Avenue. Donors bringing at least five items can participate in a chance to win two free 2011 Concert Series Tickets at the Villages Amphitheater.
Prior to the tree lighting event, from 12-4 p.m. everyone is invited across the street to a Victorian Christmas open house at the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum. Free ornament making demonstrations and goodies for the children will be provided. For more information, please call Main Street at 770-719-4173.
