Lake Oconee Village (LOV) and the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) are putting the finishing touches on the 2010 OPAS Village Series. The Lighting of the Village and the 3rd Annual Village Jingle Bell Run are the series’ final events of 2010 and will welcome the holiday season this coming week with unforgettable family fun.  

Wednesday, Nov. 24 behold the magic of the season at the Lighting of the VILLAGE with a breath-taking tree lighting surrounded by festive performances from local talent such as the Lake Oconee Academy Children’s Chorus and the Redeemer Episcopal Academy Children’s Chorus. Also on the line up are the Greene County High School Symphonic Band, The Grace Fellowship Praise Band, and Angela Walker–Deering & Scott Deering. Bring the kids with letters to Santa in hand and experience the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus while mingling with friends and family over a warm cup of coca. Hand made gifts will also be available for purchase to help you get a jump on your holiday shopping list.

LOV businesses have partnered with area non-profit organizations to decorate trees for the very first “Village Trees For A Cause.” The trees will be displayed at the Lighting of the Village the evening of Nov. 24 for event attendees to view and will be auctioned off in a silent auction with proceeds from the auction benefiting various non-profit organizations.  Among the list of businesses/ recipients are Oconee Flooring & Cabinetry/ The Lake Oconee Builders Association, Accu-Grafix Signs/ Lake Oconee Academy after School Program, Spotlight Theatres/ The Ferst Foundation, MandeVilla Flowers Gifts and Accessories/ Greensboro Dreamers, Lake Oconee Subway/ Goodwill, SpaceMakers/ First Call Pregnancy Center, Paint your Picture/ Oconee Regional Human Society, and Spotlight Theatres & Dr.Lou Pack/ Second Harvest. Also on the list of auction items are golf resort getaways benefiting the OPAS VILLAGE Series. The evening will conclude with a Santa Send-off Celebration.  All festivities will take place in the parking area next to Spotlight Theatres at Lake Oconee Village with the magic of the Lighting of the Village starting at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 27 the 3rd Annual Village Jingle Bell Run (5k Run & 1  mi. Family Fun Run) will be a sight to see. All participants, including avid runners, walkers and babies in strollers, will don Santa hats and jingle bells to create the merry sounds and sights of the season.  The 3rd Annual Village Jingle Bell Run will start  with the 1 mile Fun Run at 10 a.m. and will be immediately followed by the 5k Run at 10:30 a.m. Packet pick-up and on-sight registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Parkside Commons of Lake Oconee Village. Registrations will also be accepted at the OPAS info booth at the Lighting of the Village.  For more information or to download a registration form please visit www.LakeOconeeVillage.com

Kick off the holiday season for a jolly good time at the Lighting of the Village, Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. and at the 3rd Annual Village Jingle Bell Run on Saturday, Nov. 27 starting at 10 a.m. A special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, MCG Medical Associates, Lake Oconee Village, Sustaining Sponsor, Reynolds Plantation and to all other sponsors for making it possible to bring the 2010 OPAS Village Series to the Lake Oconee community. It has been an amazing year!