‘Christmas at the Center’ holiday event Tuesday

To say that it’s Christmas time in the city might seem a little trite but it’s true.

Christmas is coming to the “Center” in Troy on Tuesday and the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center is inviting everyone to save the date.

Christmas at the Center will begin with the tree lighting ceremony and music at the Johnson Center for the Arts at 6 p.m. Tuesday followed by dinner and a live auction at 7 p.m. at The Studio.

“Beautiful Christmas carols will be performed by the Heart of Dixie Barbershop Chorus and Shelia Jackson while we light the Christmas trees that are sponsored by local businesses and decorated by school children,” said Morgan Drinkard, Center director. “The holiday dinner at The Studio will a four-course, catered meal with entertainment. After dinner, we’ll begin the live auction that will include artwork, vacations, luxury gift items and jewelry.”

Admission to the tree lighting and music is free and open to the public.

Tickets for the dinner and live auction are $50 and may be purchased at the Johnson Center, 300 East Walnut Street in downtown Troy.

“Only a limited number of tickets to the dinner and live auction are available so we encourage those who would like to join us for this special holiday event to make reservations soon,” Drinkard said.

Christmas at the Center will actually begin on Monday when bids are open for the Center’s silent auction. The items on the silent auction block may be seen on the Center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/johnsoncenterforthearts.

“The silent action will have artwork, trips, clothing, holiday items, gift certificates from local merchants and much more,” Drinkard said. “We will accept bids by telephone at 334-670-2287 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Tuesday. From noon until 6:30 p.m., bids may be placed at the Johnson Center where the items will be on display. The auction will conclude at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas at the Center is a fundraiser for the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center.

For more information, call 334-670-2287.