The weather was perfect, and the spirits were high as the Greensboro community gathered together to light the community Christmas tree, officially kicking off the holiday season.

Friday, Dec. 6, Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) Band of Titans kicked off the evening by performing holiday favorites. The band of 80 students welcomed Santa as he and his four elves arrived on the city’s fire engine. Santa was greeted by a parade of children who were eager to visit with him and to give him their list.

Area choirs provided live music for the evening as young and old took part in the singing of Christmas carols. After LOA performed, Gene Yaws of Festival Hall delighted everyone by singing “The Christmas Song” and closed the evening with his rendition of “O’ Holy Night”. Then Walker United Methodist Praise Band, dressed in colonial holiday attire, performed beautiful Christmas hymns. Up next was a collection of dancers from the Southern Spice Dance studio. These tiny dancers pranced on the stage to “Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer” and other holiday tunes. Next, the ladies of the Eatonton Harmonettes took the stage and wowed the audience with A capella sounds of Christmas. Brandon Brodus, Oconee Idol winner, entertained the crowd with the sounds of the season. The Greene County High School Band played a few Christmas hits and ending the night was Rodicus Momford, a Greensboro Police Department captain, and his quartet. The crowd sung along as the band belted out songs such as “This Christmas” and “O’ Holy Night”.

Finally, the time came to light Greensboro’s tree. The Honorable Mayor Glenn Wright, along with Mr. and Mrs. Dick Wolfe and son Doug Wolfe, took to the stage to light the tree. Before starting a countdown to the tree’s lighting, the Mayor introduced the Wolfe family who graciously donated the tree for this year’s Christmas season in honor of their granddaughter and niece Kristin Wolfe, a lieutenant in the US Air Force. The countdown began and the red cedar was lit with hundreds of old-fashioned red, green and white lights as the crowd applauded.

By far, the most popular visitor to downtown Greensboro was none other than Santa Claus himself. Children lined up to visit Santa as he received guests in Santa’s Workshop inside of the corner building on North Main and Broad Street. Santa graciously took Christmas lists and heard holiday wishes from both young and old. Santa shared that all is well in the North Pole. His elves are busy working to make gifts for children all over the world – but, especially, for the boys and girls of Lake Country! Photos with Santa were offered by the Lake Oconee Area Photographers.

Santa reports that as always the children of Greene County were well-behaved. “I heard lots of pleases and thank-yous from my visitors,” Santa said. “I’m sure that with such polite manners and good behavior that I’ll be bringing a sleigh-load of toys to Greene County when I return in a few weeks.”

After a visit with Santa, children stopped by the craft tent to make their very own Christmas ornament. Other vendors for the evening included Future Farmers of America (FFA) with their famous marshmallow roast, Greene County Band Boosters, Liberty United Methodist Church, Greensboro Fire Department, Hay Rides by Ray Foster and Family, Knight of Columbus with hot cider and cocoa and Washington Grass Inn at the Christmas Cafe.

Remember to support your local businesses this holiday season. The downtown merchants will have extended business hours on Friday and Saturdays until Christmas and they are more than able to help you find the perfect Christmas gift. Be sure to check out the unique selection of clothing, hand made gifts, local art, special holiday items and more that are available at the shops of downtown Greensboro.

For more information about the holidays in Greensboro visit www.GreensboroHoliday.com.