Fayetteville Main Street officially marks the beginning of the holiday season with its annual Downtown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting festivities.
The public is invited to gather downtown for this massive celebration that includes music, food, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the gazebo from 6-8 p.m.
The parade starts at 5 p.m. and will work its way up through the downtown square and around the Courthouse. Alongside the parade route at the Gazebo, the Olde Courthouse Tavern will have food/drinks, and the Main Street tent will have the new 2015 Christmas ornament, as well as other holiday gift items.
Earlier in the day, starting at 1 p.m., the celebration begins at the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife museum where there will be various activities including the reading of “The Night before Christmas” and live music from local groups. Admission is free for children with a can of food and half off for adults donating a can of food as well.
Immediately following the parade, the tree lighting program will commence and features a variety of local performers and groups. During the program, members of Rolling Hills Baptist Church will serve free hot chocolate, as well as sponsor Nalley Automotive which will also be serving hot chocolate. Free popcorn will be served by Gospel Community Church.
This year, Main Street is also partnering with 8-year-old Andrew Fleming as he continues his “Fun & Helpful Community” Christmas food drive to help stock the shelves of the Fayette Samaritans. Please bring canned food and non-perishables items to the tree lighting and drop them off at Andrew’s tent. A list of needed items can be found on the city’s website. There are also donation boxes at Firehouse Subs, Partner’s Pizza, Town Square Jewelers, Fayette County Administration, Old Historic Courthouse and Welcome Center, City Hall, and the Fayette County Library.
This year’s honored guest at the lighting of the tree will be 7-year-old Dylan Baizabal, a student enrolled in the Early Intervention Primary Program at The Joseph Sams School. The school’s staff and children will also perform during the tree lighting program.
For more information on this and other Main Street events, phone 770-719-4173 or visit www.Fayetteville-GA.gov/Events.
