Live Oak gets in the spirit

Live Oak held its first-ever Small Town Holiday celebration Monday, drawing Christmas carolers, community organizations and vendors to Broadway Street.

The city's holiday event featured the lighting of a Christmas tree between Highway 99 and Broadway at 7 p.m. while a giant Frosty the Snowman statue looked on along with hundreds of people.

"We again are celebrating the holiday season by lighting the Christmas tree," Mayor Diane Hodges told the crowd gathered on Broadway just before the lights came on.

The idea of blocking off Broadway to traffic came about three months ago after Hodges said she wanted to light this year's tree along Highway 99. The city has lit the tree in different locations over the past three years.

Civic leaders spent four to six weeks organizing Monday's event.

"We have a huge turnout, over 20 vendors, people coming out from all over the city," said Hodges.

Jeff Widener, a Live Oak resident, found out Monday about the city's holiday plans and decided to take a look.

"I think it actually turned out pretty good," said Widener, at the event with his kids, Megan, 6, and Jonathan, 10. "The kids seemed to really enjoy it."

Many of the children gathered around a trailer set up by the Live Oak Lions Club that brought a campfire to the holiday celebration where kids roasted marshmallows for s'mores. A story reading by Hodges also kept the children entertained.

Santa Sightings
Find out where Santa Claus or some of his helpers will be appearing in the Mid-Valley. Go online to www.appeal-democrat.com/sections/infocenter/

Contact Appeal reporter John Dickey at 749-4711 or jdickey@appealdemocrat.com