Christmas on

T he City of Gaffney will host its eighth annual Christmas on Limestone Friday, Dec. 5, from 6-9 p.m. The star of the evening - Santa - will be at the Gaffney Fire Department to greet children and hear their Christmas wishes.

Festivities feature inflatable games from Al Davis, a carousel sponsored by Roger Shiflett Ford and Roger Shiflett Pontiac-Buick-GMC., and a snow machine.

Horse and carriages rides, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, can be taken for $5 per person. Free wagon rides are offered by Buford Street Drug Store/Ace Hardware and Ed Brown's Rodeo.

An antique fire truck will be on display along with sidewalk art at the Gaffney Fire Department.

The Gaffney Little Theatre is sponsoring a fundraiser - Just Desserts - from 6-8:30 p.m. in the old Brown's Furniture Building while CHAPS will have a Colonial Christmas and CAVA holiday art show and sale in the City of Gaffney Visitors' Center from 6-9 p.m.

Pieces from the Past Antiques will serve toasted chestnuts from 6-9 p.m. while The Capri Theatre will host performances by Martha Bassett from 6:15-7 p.m. and 8:15-9 p.m. Christabel and the Jons will also be on hand to perform from 7:15-8 p.m. Tickets are $1 per person for each performance.

Bernadette Swayngim and Jeff Gates will perform from 6:15-8:45 p.m. near Harold's and Stick's.

The Limestone Street Methodist Church Choir will be performing from 6-9 p.m. at Pieces from the Past Antiques. The Village School Choir will sing from 6:15-7 p.m. at Creative Framing, followed by 15- year-old Cameran McClure from 7:30-8:15 p.m.

Trackside Diner on Limestone will host Cherokee County Children's Librarian Susan Sarratt, who will be reading stories to children and offering milk and cookies. They will also feature several activities in the old Jones Jewelry building, including a live nativity performed by the Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society, a Wreath of Remembrance by Hospice Care of South Carolina and a number of groups from Goucher Baptist Church will be performing.

The highlight of the evening will be the lighting of the city's Christmas tree by Mayor Henry Jolly. Children can register for a chance to help Mayor Jolly light the tree by registering at City Hall Park from 5-5:45 p.m. One lucky child will be drawn to help light the tree.

The Festival of Trees can be seen from 6-9 p.m. in City Hall. Indian Hill Baptist Church's "Little Angels" will perform at the Festival of Trees from 7:30-8 p.m. East Gaffney Baptist Church Choir will sing from 7-7:30 p.m. and again from 8-8:30 p.m..

The Gaffney High School Jazz Band and Choir will present Christmas music from 5-5:45 p.m. at City Hall Park.

Matthew McDonald of The Bookshelf Florist will serve as the Town Crier. He will introduce Mayor Henry Jolly and announce the beginning of the festivities. The Bookshelf Florist will also host the choir from Restoration Church as well as provide snacks and hot cocoa.

Downtown businesses will be open during the evening Friday for holiday shoppers. Many of the stores will be decorated and may be offering refreshments and holiday specials.