City approves holiday events
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on November 17, 2009 1:46 PM
A week from today, Mayor Al King will ride into downtown Goldsboro on a horse-drawn trolley -- a group of children, Santa Claus and the Grinch alongside him.
City Council members discussed and approved several Christmas events Monday at their final meeting of the month, including the annual "Downtown Lights Up," a Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. offering that aims to bring residents -- particularly children -- to Center Street for an evening of music, trolley rides, hot chocolate -- and even "snow."
The event, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Nov. 24 on the front steps of historic City Hall, marks the official beginning of the Christmas season in the city, King said. On his command, all the decorative lights downtown are turned on simultaneously.
But Lights Up is not the only holiday event that came before the council for review Monday.
The Goldsboro Jaycees' Christmas Parade also appeared on Monday's docket and is set to take place Dec. 5 from 4 until 6 p.m.
The parade route begins and ends at the intersection of Spruce and Center streets, but will make its way down Walnut, John, Mulberry, Chestnut and Ash as well.
The council heard about one final event at its meeting as well.
Goldsboro resident Laura Didier was in attendance to promote her upcoming show at the Paramount Theater -- set to begin just after Lights Up ends.
"A Jazzy Christmas" will run from 8 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 24, she said, and features a jazz trio -- pianist and band leader, Jim Martinez of Sacramento, Calif., bass player Peter Innocenti of Cary and drummer Jeff Crouse of Cary.
In addition to classics such as "Silent Night," there will also be a rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and a medley of "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer." And, of course, there will be some selections from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Mrs. Didier told the council.
Mrs. Didier came to Goldsboro when her husband, Chris, was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Tickets for her event are $20 for general admission and $15 for active duty and retired military and their dependents and can be purchased at the Arts Council of Wayne County, Frederick's Music and Seymour Johnson Outdoor Recreation Office.