By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Christmas hits the streets of Gadsden in a major way this coming week, with the Gadsden Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Monday evening, followed by December’s First Friday celebration, to be marked by the North Pole Stroll and the lighting of the Christmas tree on the lawn at Gadsden City Hall.
For the North Pole Stroll, Downtown Gadsden Inc. Director Kay Moore and all Santa’s downtown helpers invite everyone to dress as their favorite Christmas character and come meet at the Pitman Theater in downtown Gadsden at 5 p.m. for a merry stroll down Broad Street to city hall for the tree lighting.
Downtown merchants will be open late (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) with special Christmas sales, classic cars will be on display and vendors will be on hand with food and drink. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a free Christmas concert by The Liz Wood Project at the Pitman Theater.
Gadsden’s Christmas activities will be far from over. On Dec. 7 and 8 and again on Dec. 14 and 15, bring your camera and make pictures with Santa at the Gazebo on Wall Street.
There will be hot chocolate and Christmas carolers to entertain.
On the morning of Dec. 15, children are invited for “Snacks with Santa” at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts.
The University of Alabama, Gadsden Center will sponsor cookies and milk for the kids while they visit Saint Nick. The Festival of Trees and “Let It Snow: The Exhibit” will be open for visitors as well.
Christmas at the Falls will continue nightly until Dec. 23.
Visitors can enjoy a train ride through the lighting display, visit Santa, decorate cookies and enjoy the spectacle of Noccalula Falls.
Money-saving combo tickets for the Center for Cultural Arts exhibits and Christmas at the Falls are available at the Hardin Center.
Those who purchase a combo ticket don’t have to visit both attractions on the same day.
