(PHOTOS) Decatur and Avondale Estates kick off Christmas
Jon Hall (left) holds his son Nat as they are covered in "snow" during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
By Jonathan Phillips, contributor
The temperature has dropped just in time to make a cup of hot chocolate, the perfect sweet treat on this brisk first night of December. But it’s not just cocoa, or thoughts of snow or sugar plums that made Dec. 1 magical and special.
Thursday evening marked the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Decatur. Thousands of people came out to listen to carols being sung, play in the “snow” that blew in – not from the North Pole, but from boxes high above the stage – and get in the holiday spirit. Even Santa Claus dropped by to say hello and, “Ho ho ho!”
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Wreaths decorate the lamp posts in downtown Decatur as twilight falls before the start of the annual lighting of the tree on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Stella Florence (left) and her brother Grant run up the street towards Little Shop of Stories before the start of the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Astrud Ferguson (center) dances to music as she waits for Santa to arrive during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Murphy Fowler waits for Santa to arrive during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Jon Hall (left) holds his son Nat as they are covered in “snow” during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Chandler Jones plays in the “snow” during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Cora Parsons (right) is held by her grandmother Maureen Sobolewski as she plays in the “snow” during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Mary Eadon Robinson (left) passes out candy canes to Jameson Connelly and others during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Julian Daniel (center) takes a quiche from the tray during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Thousands of people wait for Santa Claus’ arrival during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
The Voices of Fifth Avenue choir sing Christmas carols as thousands gather in front of Little Shop of Stories during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Santa Claus makes sure to remind the people down below to go to bed early and leave him milk and cookies on Christmas Eve during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Santa Claus makes his exit after lighting the tree on top of Little Shop of Stories during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Santa Claus waves to the crowd below after lighting the tree on top of Little Shop of Stories during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Katie Jane Thompson (top right) sings Christmas carols with the Voices of Fifth Avenue choir during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Nick Brooks (center) leads the Voices of Fifth Avenue choir as they sing Christmas carols during the annual lighting of the tree in Decatur on Thursday.
Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Avondale Estates also held its Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 28. Decaturish contributor Travis Hudgons was there and took this video of the event.
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