Cities kick off Christmas with tree lightings, shopping events
From staff reports
Franklin County’s five cities will kick off the 2021 Christmas season celebration with events over the next week.
Royston, Canon, Lavonia, Franklin Springs and Carnesville will all light their town Christmas trees or hold other events beginning Sunday.
A calendar of community holiday events is on Pages 8-9 of this issue.
• Royston.
Royston will kick off Christmas with its Holiday Market Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at The Depot on Railroad Street.
Unique handcrafted items will be available.
The event will be held in conjunction with Small Business Saturday to promote shopping at downtown merchants.
The city will also hold its annual Christmas in Royston Tuesday from 5-8 p.m., with a tree lighting at 7 p.m., in downtown Royston.
The event will include late night shopping and dining downtown, special treats at particiating merchants and a holiday market at The Depot on Railroad Street.
Letters to Santa may be dropped off in the white mailbox downtown.
For more information, call 706-245-7577.
• Canon.
Canon will hold its Christmas Tree Lighting Sunday at 6 p.m. at Canon City Park.
Christmas songs will be performed and a short message delivered.
After the ceremony, hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be available in the Parke House, along with a chance to visit Santa.
• Lavonia.
Lavonia will hold its Christmas Tree Lighting Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Lavonia Gazebo downtown.
The tree lighting will be part of a Don’t Be A Grinch event from 5-7 p.m. that will include a Christmas karaoke and sing alongs, horse and carriage rides, cookies and hot chocolate and miniature train rides.
The event will also include a cookie crawl, where patrons can go around to Lavonia business, get a free cookie and have a card signed that will make them eligible for a special prize. (See Page 8 for details.)
The event is free.
For more information, call 706-356-1926 or 706-356-5725.
• Franklin Springs.
The 12th annual Franklin Springs Christmas Tree Lighting will be held Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. in front of city hall.
Activities for children will be included with the tree lighting.
• Carnesville.
Carnesville’s annual Christmas in the Park will be held Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Carnesville City Park.
The event will include the lighting of the Christmas tree, a bonfire and Christmas message, followed by a potluck supper at 7 p.m. in the Carnesville Community Center.