City of Valdosta Light Equipment Operator Lonnie Ledbetter places the star on the 30-foot Christmas tree assembled on the front lawn of Valdosta City Hall. The public is invited to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting that will be held here on Friday, Dec. 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m., to kick off the holiday season in Downtown Valdosta.

The public is invited as Mayor John Gayle and Valdosta First Lady Peggy Gayle officially kick off the holiday season in Valdosta at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, on Friday, Dec. 1, at 5:30 p.m. Attendees of all ages will enjoy a special visit from Santa Claus, as he assists with the lighting of the fully-decorated 30-foot Christmas tree located on the front lawn of City Hall, at 216 E. Central Avenue.

Members of the St. John Catholic Church Youth Choir, under the direction of Donna Farwell, will lead the crowd in the singing of a few holiday favorites. The event will also feature the vocal talent of Donna Norton. While enjoying the festivities, citizens may enjoy hot cocoa, hot apple cider and other light refreshments provided by the Valdosta Main Street office.

At the Christmas Tree Lighting, the Valdosta Youth Council will be accepting donations from community members for the Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade (view flyer). VYC members will also be collecting signatures for season greeting cards that will be mailed to military service members who are deployed during the holidays.

Citizens are encouraged to stay downtown after the Christmas Tree Lighting to enjoy the fun dining, shopping and entertainment experience of First Friday, which will also include the year’s final Art Walk, until 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, citizens are invited back downtown to enjoy the Greater Valdosta Community Christmas Parade, which begins at 5 p.m. The parade will start at Woodrow Wilson Drive, proceed down N. Patterson Street, and end at the Department of Health Building, in Downtown Valdosta. The creative holiday floats will be judged on overall appearance, special effects, creativity, workmanship and use of the theme, which this year is “Hometown Christmas.”