By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The upcoming weekend will officially kick off the holiday season in Decatur with two days of events, including the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Decatur Main Street will hold its annual Downtown & Around Christmas Open House on Friday and Saturday.
The tree lighting festivities are also scheduled for Friday.
A total of 28 businesses are participating in this year’s open house, most of them in the downtown area; among others are some 13th St. businesses, the hospital and Highway 27 Landscape Supply north of the city.
Participating merchants will be offering sales, refreshments, and holiday treats.
Punch cards will be available at each individual store for the chance to win a door prize.
The Decatur Chamber of Commerce will host a Holiday Raffle to benefit Decatur Main Street. Prizes are $1,000, $750, $500, and $250.
Tickets are $20 each and available from any Decatur Main Street board member.
Santa will be in his Santa Shack on the Madison St. Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Main Street’s new holiday decorations will be on display for the first time.
LIGHT UP: Santa will be back in his shack from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday as part of the tree lighting ceremonies.
Free carriage rides will be offered from 4:30 to 6:30, and entries in the gingerbread house contest will be available for viewing from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Hive Art Gallery.
The tree lighting is scheduled for 6 p.m., followed by a toy giveaway.
Festivities will also include live caroling throughout the evening, and soup and drinks will be available for purchase from Decatur Church of God members.
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