As downtown Milledgeville begins the transformation into the Christmas season, Friday events will serve as kickoff to local festivities.

The annual Pilot Club Light the Lights Christmas celebration will hopefully draw celebrants in as a 30-foot Christmas tree is lit outside the old Baldwin County Courthouse. The Pilot Club sold lights for $1 to light the tree as part of the annual fundraiser to support agencies in Baldwin County in their various outreaches to Baldwin County children and adults.

“Support may be a little down from last year,” organizer and Pilot Club member Judy Maddox said. “We do have some out of town guests coming and they have supported the campaign. Everything is ready to go. Georgia College has the tree ready.”

Maddox said the Georgia Military College Prep School band will be performing at the Friday evening ceremony, as will vocalist Terri Wiggins of Eatonton as well as a group from Flagg Chapel Baptist Church.

“Mayor Richard Bentley will be there representing the City of Milledgeville and Dr. Bruce Harshbarger will be there representing Georgia College & State University,” Maddox said.

During the celebration, Santa Claus will arrive on a fire truck and visit with the crowd. The Christmas kickoff will be accompanied by a downtown open house before and after the event.

Milledgeville MainStreet and Downtown Development Authority will present a Historic Downtown Milledgeville Open House.

MainStreet Director Belinda Washlesky said the downtown atmosphere is sure to get revelers in the holiday spirit.

“Why not enjoy the magical wonderland that is downtown historic Milledgeville at Christmas time?” Washlesky said. “Being out in downtown with all the Christmas lights and decorations is just magical. It’s so much better than being in a box store.”

Washlesky said downtown is so unique and is even more so at Christmas time. Shopping downtown will ensure that gifts aren’t replicated as the shopping experience is one-of-a-kind.

“We want people to break loose from the chains,” Washlesky said of big box chain retailers. “The downtown atmosphere is so great.”

Merchants participating in the open house include Lina Bina, ExtraordiNailry, The Gallery of Crazy W Creations, Villane’s Jewelry, Harrold’s, Initial This, Auntie Bellum’s Attic, Charmed Spa, J.C. Grant Jewelry Co. and Old Capitol Antiques.

The Pilot Club Light the Lights celebration will begin at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of the Old Baldwin County Courthouse at the corner of Wilkinson and Hancock streets. Live entertainment, free refreshments and photo opportunities with Santa Claus are included. The community is invited to join the celebration.