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TOP PHOTO: Vice Mayor Lonnie Hot Rod Wilson lit the Christmas Tree on Friday night.
Mark and Sherry Hoskins and grandson Cash Davis paid a visit to Santa.
By: Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – LaFollette kicked off its first ever Downtown Country Christmas Friday night. The event included special holiday sales and gift giveaways at local merchants, along with a tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa and more. The festivities will continue for the next two Fridays leading up to Christmas. Both the city and downtown merchants came up with the idea to help promote business for the holidays and to provide holiday activities for area citizens.
Millie Anderson, Della Cooper, Marsha Goetz attended the tree lighting.
Santa made a special visit to Common Ground Coffee Shop for free photos provided by M&G Photography. The Family Dollar donated toys for the event, which were given to the kids. Both Mayor Mike Stanfield and Santa said they wanted to say a “big thanks” for the toy donation. Vice Mayor Lonnie “Hot Rod” Wilson gave a brief welcome speech before ceremoniously lighting the Christmas tree. Wilson said he wanted to encourage everyone to “shop local this year.” LaFollette City Administrator Jimmy Jeffries said he wanted to thank all the city employees and volunteers for decorating down town. “We want to thank all the participating businesses and merchants for taking part in this as well,” Jeffries said.
Kay Lancaster, Mandi and Sebastian Rodriguez helped hand out free popcorn for the event.
The holiday festivities will continue for two more Fridays. On Dec. 13, there will be Christmas carols, free popcorn, holiday sales and gift giveaways. Smith ACE Hardware will be grilling meatballs and area merchants will hold prize drawings. The final event will be held on Dec. 20 and will include a live nativity scene in the park and a reading of the Christmas story provided by Pastor Michael Dent from the LaFollette Church of God. The grand prize, valued at $500, will also be announced on the 20th. You must be present to win. For more information, call 423-562-4961. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/07/2019-6AM)