Local Olympian will light tree
The switch that lights Columbia County's Christmas tree might not be hard to throw, but just in case, the county's own Olympic thrower will be on hand to do the honors this year.
The Columbia County Choral Society entertained the crowd with Christmas carols during the 2002 tree-lighting ceremony.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Olympic shot-putter Reese Hoffa, a record-holding graduate of Lakeside High School, has been named the honorary tree-lighter for the 2004 Christmas in America celebration, the lighting of Columbia County's official Christmas tree.
The event will be Dec. 4 in front of the Columbia County Justice Center in Evans starting with a craft market, refreshments, entertainment and the arrival of Santa Claus by way of Martinez Fire Department truck at 4:30 p.m. Photos with Santa will be available.
The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m., with performers including the Vineyard Church praise band and the Columbia County Elementary Schools Mass Chorus. The tree lighting will be at 6:30 p.m.
Spectators and parents of performers are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, as seating is limited.
Participants also are encouraged to bring donations of toiletries and other items for Grovetown's drive to collect care packages for soldiers serving in Iraq. Drop boxes will be available on site.
For information on the event, call Stacie Adkins at 868-3458.