Christmas celebrations taking off this weekend

The Chateau lighting will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday with special events, a petting zoo and other family-friendly activities.

In Auburn, the fun begins at 6 p.m. Saturday with the holiday illumination of downtown timed to the singing of traditional Christmas carols by church choirs.

“We’ll sing ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and light the star on the water tower,” said Charlotte Ewing, coordinator of parks and leisure.
“Then ‘Away in the Manger’ and light up the gazebo, which has been turned into a manger scene.

“When we sing, ‘Silver Bells’ with the line ‘city sidewalks, busy sidewalks,’ that’s the moment of the official lighting, and every night until Christmas, the lights will be on.”

Santa Claus will arrive atop a convertible from Akins Ford in Winder. He’ll greet the community and then sit down to hear children’s Christmas wishes. Young people from the Auburn Dixie Youth will photograph the children’s visits with Santa. The first photo is free. Refreshments will include cookies and hot chocolate.

WEEKEND CONCERTS

Also this weekend, there will be two holiday concerts in the Colleen O. Williams Theater inside the Winder Cultural Arts center on East Athens Street. The concerts will be Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. and will feature Carroll Brown, an acoustic musician and local favorite. Co-produced with the Winder Noon Lion’s Club, this concert will raise funds for the purchase of tactical safety vests for the Winder Police Department. The $15 tickets may be purchased from a Noon Lions Club Member or at the Winder Police Department, Winder City Hall and at the door.

CLOSINGS
Thanksgiving Day is a federal, state and local holiday. All government offices, post offices, schools, banks and most businesses will be closed