NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE The Christmas tree lights in Batus Park will be switched on at 6 p.m. on Friday as part of Midnight Madness and the official launch of the festive season downtown.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The Christmas lights are in place and the count down to switching them on has begun toward Midnight Madness on Friday.
The large Christmas tree in Batus Park, at the corner of Second Street and Sixth Avenue, is adorned with more than 1500 lights that will be illuminated at 6 p.m. in a special ceremony, said Jeremy Silver, chair of the City Centre Development Agency.
Silver says the city’s parks and recreation has participated in helping to make the special Christmas display and its crews assisted with the installation of lights. There are other smaller trees in Batus Park that also festooned with lights.
“It’s probably going to be the best display in 10 years,” said Silver. “We have some laser projectors coming for the lighting and we will light up the park.”
For downtown businesses it is one of the biggest days of the year with special incentives and promotions, Silver said. You can watch a movie at the Monarch Theatre free of charge and visit Santa in the Gaslight Plaza where there will also be free hot chocolate.
Silver is encouraging people to come wearing their Christmas sweaters for the “ugly sweater” contest. The public will do the judging by applause and there is a prize for the winner. This will take place shortly after the lighting of the Christmas tree.
To facilitate the downtown activity and the opportunity to enjoy hayrides, there will be some street closures. From 5 p.m. to midnight, Second Street SE will be closed between Forth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.
