Features Editor

Each holiday season, a flip of the switch transforms Main Street in Brundidge into a Norman Rockwell painting.

And, so it will be again Friday night when the town’s traditional string Christmas lights are turned on to signal the official beginning of the holiday season.

The annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:30, followed by caroling on Main Street and the arrival of Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.

Rue Botts, a member of the Brundidge Business Association which sponsors the event, said everyone is invited to this special event.

"There is always a lot of excitement surrounding the lighting of our Christmas lights and there is just something special about being there when they are turned on for the first time each year," Botts said. "The ceremony is simple but very meaningful and we hope everyone will plan to take a few minutes of the day after Thanksgiving to be with us."

No special music has been planned, only the singing of the traditional carols of Christmas by friends and neighbors. Cider and cookies will be served and seating will be provided. However, those who would rather bring their own folding chairs are encouraged to do so.

"It’s a simple ceremony that is a wonderful beginning to our Christmas season," Botts said.

For almost 50

years, the colored lights, strung from "light" pole to "light" pole, have delighted townspeople and visitors alike.

Before the bypass took motorists off Main Street, people from all across the country wrote town officials telling them how the simple string lights has made Christmas much brighter for them as they traveled along the way.

For the citizens of Brundidge, the "Christmas lights" are as much of the holiday tradition as turkey and dressing and Santa Claus.