By Eve Copeland

eve.copeland@gaflnews.com

TIFTON — Hometown Holidays, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1, will feature a variety of free entertainment, according to the entertainment schedule.

The parade, which starts at 5 p.m., will be led by Grand Marshals Larry and Joyce Mims. Kirsten and Austin McAlpin will be parade commentators.

The commentary will be filmed by WSST and some inserts will be posted on Facebook. The judges will be Pastor Keith Norris, Pastor Brison Daniels and Pastor Fred Evers.

After the parade, the opening ceremonies and live entertainment will begin at the four stages set up around downtown.

The main stage, located in front of Ameris Bank, will host Scout performing the National Anthem and the Tifton Fire Department Honor Guard presenting the colors at 6:40 p.m.

Tifton Mayor Julie Smith and the Tifton City Council will welcome attendees and thank the sponsors beginning at 6:50 p.m. and the lighting of the tree will take place at 7:05 p.m.

After the lighting of the tree, the 110th CSSB Georgia National Guard Unit will be giving away toys to children.

One Voice will be performing at 7:15 p.m., Tift County High School’s Ladies Choice, Eighth Street Singing Company and Singers Incorporated will be performing at 8 p.m. and the street dance competition, sponsored by DJ Philgood, will begin at 9 p.m. The winner of the competition will receive $100.

The Tift Theatre stage will host Carolyn Ellis School of Dance (CESOD) beginning at 7 p.m. The dancers of CESOD and All That Glitters will be performing “Santa’s Workshop.”

The Mainstreet Gateway Park stage will see John Hicks and The Mood Doctors performing at 7 p.m.

The library steps will host singing from members of First Baptist Church of Tifton at 6:30 p.m., the TCHS jazz ensemble band at 7 p.m. and Justin Spivey and band at 8 p.m.

A fireworks display will be set off beginning at 8 p.m. near downtown.

Throughout the evening the UGA Candy Cane Express will provide free rides to see the Festival of Lights at Fulwood Park. The tram will load at the corner of Library Lane and Love Avenue from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Because of the celebration most of the roads in and around Downtown will be closing early to allow for set up of the festival.

Event organizers are asking that all vehicles be removed from curbside and

off of the on-street parking by the street closure time as listed below on

Saturday, Dec. 1:

• First Street will close at 1 p.m.

• Love Avenue between 3rd Street and 4th Street will close at 2 p.m.

• Main Street will close at 3 p.m.

Follow Eve Copeland on Twitter @EveCopelandTTG.