Christmas is less than a month away and the local cities and towns will kick off the holidays with tree lightings, parades and other festivities this weekend.
Fayetteville Main Street officially marks the beginning of the Main Street Holiday Season with the downtown Christmas Parade and the 19th Annual Tree Lighting. The public is invited to gather downtown for this annual celebration that includes music, food, and free carriage rides with Santa. The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. and will roll up Hwy 85 through the downtown square. Across the street at the Gazebo, local restaurant “Half Shell” will be serving food/drinks for the spectators before, during and after the parade.
Beginning at 6 p.m., New Vision Church will provide a festive musical program in front of the big Christmas tree, while members of Rolling Hills Baptist Church will serve free hot chocolate. New to Fayetteville, Gospel Community Church will also be serving up free popcorn.
Entertainment at the tree will also feature performances by other local talent throughout the evening while children wait in line to take a ride with Santa in his very own horse-drawn carriage. Rides will be given from 7-9 p.m.
This year’s honored guests performing the actual “lighting” of the tree will be Andrew Maguire from the Joseph Sams School, and local resident JT Holloway. The Joseph Sams School, staff and children will be performing immediately prior to 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 those in need within the community. Everyone attending is encouraged to bring an item to help fill their wagon.
For more information, please call Main Street at 770-719-4173.
Gather family and friends and start your holiday season with the annual Hometown Holiday event in Peachtree City, Saturday, December 3. The evening will begin at 6 p.m with a musical program at The Fred, followed by the “Trail of Lights” at 7 p.m. led by Santa Claus in a decorated red golf cart donated by Bulldog Supply of Peachtree City.
People are encouraged to follow Santa in their golf carts from the Amphitheater along the east shore of Lake Peachtree to City Hall Plaza. City Manager, Dr. James L. Pennington, will light the Grand Christmas Tree and Santa will be available to hear Christmas wishes from all the children.
This year “Photos with Santa” will be offered for a nominal fee of $1. Remember to bring lawn chairs or blankets as no seating is provided. For questions or more information, please contact Peachtree City Recreation & Special Events Department at 770-631-2525 or visit our website at www.peachtree-city.org.
“Light Up Senoia” will take place Saturday, December 3 from 4-8 p.m. Enjoy great entertainment, food, Santa’s workshop, and parade. Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus after the parade & tree lighting at the sleigh near the gazebo. The event is sponsored by the City of Senoia Downtown Development Authority.
The town of Brooks will have several Christmas in the Country activities. Their tour of homes will take place from 2-5 p.m. The tour, now in its seventh year, is sponsored by the Brooks Woman’s Club. It is their big fundraiser for the year and all proceeds go back into the community. This year there are six homes on the tour as well as the historic Brooks Christian Church. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at Hardy Hall in downtown Brooks, on the day of the tour. Tour patrons can also enjoy refreshments at Hardy Hall while they view the homes dressed in Christmas cheer.
The Brooks Woman’s club is celebrating over 90 years of community service in Fayette County. Meeting once a month to coordinate ideas, the ladies have proven to be a powerhouse in the community contributing to the American Red Cross, Promise Place, March of Dimes, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The club has sponsored several Honor Flight Fayette Veterans, and is continually supporting Brooks Elementary by providing snacks for faculty at meetings, collecting first aid and school supplies, and helping with the Veterans Day program at the school. Paper goods are also collected for the Johnson home for children. When the tornadoes ravished the small town of Rio, near Brooks, members cars were filled up with water and food to take to our neighbors down the road.
The tree lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Brooks. There will be free refreshments and music provided by the Brooks Elementary School Chorus. Santa arrives in Brooks at 6 p.m. immediately after the tree lighting. Events sponsored by the Brooks Woman’s Club, Community Club, and Town of Brooks. For info, contact Bebe Moore, 770-719-3194
