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Revitalize Hartsville presents the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 3 at 5:15 p.m. at the Trousdale County Courthouse.

鈥淩evitalize Hartsville has been fantastic in lighting up the downtown area,鈥� said Terri Merryman, executive director of the Hartsville-Trousdale Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

From the lighting provided around the courthouse to the new Christmas lights that were recently installed, the downtown area is already looking quite festive. At a recent county commission meeting, Mayor Jack McCall noted that the feedback from the community on the new Christmas lights has been very positive.

The Hartsville-Trousdale Chamber of Commerce and Tourism invites families to Photos with Santa on Friday, Dec. 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Families can bring their own cameras or iPhones or use the photographer on site to capture memories of their children with Santa. There will be activity tables for the kids. Free cookies and cocoa will be served.

The activities will continue Saturday, Dec. 14.

鈥淎ll of downtown is participating in one big Christmas event,鈥� said Merryman. 鈥淭he day is going to be bigger and better than ever. Local merchants and restaurants will be open. There will be shopping, food and coffee trucks. Christmas music will be playing downtown. There will be no excuse to not find something to do, buy, eat or drink!鈥�

Parking is available at Trey Park and a close walk to all the downtown festivities.

Your first stop might be to the Hartsville First United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar and Country Ham Breakfast. Activities will be held in the fellowship hall where you can shop and eat breakfast before the parade. The menu includes ham, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, hashbrown casserole, fruit compote and more. The cost is $10 per person. All proceeds from the breakfast benefit student scholarships. The church is located at 224 River Street.

A short stroll from the church takes you right to the shops and restaurants downtown. Food and coffee trucks will be set up beside the courthouse. A variety of 18 vendors will be inside the Community Center for more shopping and holiday treats. The community center will be open from 9 a.m. to noon.

Event organizers note that as you stroll through town, you will enjoy the sounds of Christmas as well. Hawk Specialty, a new member of the Chamber, will play festive music and announce each parade entry as they pass by.

And what small town celebration is complete without a parade? Participants, big and small, line the streets to see Santa and Mrs. Claus enter town. The parade will feature floats, vintage and show cars, school and church groups, tractors, animals, Christmas-themed characters, heavy duty equipment and at least 70 Shriners participating. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Mark Presley is the Grand Marshal.

Parade participants line up at 9 a.m. Judging of the entries will start at 9:30 a.m. The parade route begins at the corner of Andrews Avenue and McMurry Blvd., and turns right onto McMurry, then turns left at the light onto Broadway. The parade turns left onto East Main and ends at the entrance of Trey Park.

In the spirit of giving this Christmas season, first responders will be set up in the Foodland parking lot after the parade to collect donations for the Beverly Sullins Memorial Toy Drive. All donations benefit Trousdale County Christmas for Kids program.

As the fun-filled day draws to a close and everyone is asking what鈥檚 for dinner, bring the family to Hartsville Taco from 5-7 p.m. Santa will make one more stop for the day to fuel up for his trip home.