WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The City of Warner Robins is feeling holly and jolly as they got ready to light their newest Christmas tree at Perkins Park Thursday.
Folks had a whole lot of fun as they gathered around with loved ones on picnic blankets and lawn chairs in front of a stage set with poinsettia flowers.
But the city also announced that they are pushing back their Christmas Parade and Bazar scheduled for this weekend until Dec. 9, the city announced on Facebook.
"We're doing everything in our power to check every possibility to bring the parade to the city of Warner Robins," Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said.
The tradition's been held for 65 years now, according to Mayor LaRhonda Patrick.
This year's festivities are extra special because of a couple of new additions — including the new Christmas tree and winter bazaar.
Patrick says she's had her eye on the artificial tree since she saw a photo of it in Germany last year. An Alabama vendor, Jubilee, was able to scout the tree, she says. Now it's here.
And, unlike the old tree, you can walk through it.
The mayor said the city needed to upgrade from the previous tree because it was "outdated and needed to retire."
The latest tree, including the decorations it's adorned with, cost between $40,000- $60,000, Patrick said. The investment made is for people to enjoy the tree for decades to come.
"We were looking to rent a tree, but it's way more expensive to rent our decorations than to actually purchase and own them outright," Patrick said. "So, we went with the most economical decision."
The Winter Bazaar is also a new addition to the Warner Robins holiday festivities. It's also been another item on Patrick's plan for the past year.
It will have local vendors set up in Perkins Park after the parade selling locally curated and created items.
"I realized, when you do shopping, a lot of people like those unique gifts that you can't find at the store," she said. "We will have the bazaar following the parade, depending on when that day ends up being, so we can ensure the vendors have the largest crowd."
The switch turned on the lights on the new tree just after 6 p.m. the same evening.
Earnest Head helped set the field up for the holiday festivities as the maintenance supervisor at city hall.
"I used to go to the parade every year," he said. "My momma used to bring me out here."
Head is Perry native who has loved the Warner Robins holiday festivities since he was a kid. These days, he gets to bring six of his own grandkids.
"I'm 69 now," he said. "It brings back memories of the time when I was small."
For the past 12 years, he said, he's worked at city hall.
"Now that I'm a mother, my six-year-old loves every single holiday," Patrick said.
Mayor Patrick remembers the tree lighting as one of her favorite holiday traditions growing up, too.
Both she and Head get to help deck the halls of Warner Robins by participating in the festivities production process.
"I kinda get everything together, I paint and do all kinds of stuff, and I put up the lights" Head said. "I just wish everybody could come and have a good time!"