The 37th Annual Main Street Festival of Lights will happen a week earlier than in past years to accommodate families who go on vacation during Thanksgiving week.
On Saturday, Nov. 19, school choruses will perform, Girl Scout Troop 456 will sell monogrammed Santa caps and stockings and Boy Scouts from Troop 247 will help kids who visit the Santa House while they pose for photos with the man in red.
Families can spend the day downtown. Parking is free and there are lots of stores to buy gifts and restaurants to take a pause.
The Farmer’s Market -- another opportunity to shop and snack -- will also be open.
At 6:30 p.m., Santa will flip a switch and all at once, holiday lights will shine on the buildings around the landmark oak tree and blue fountain and along Main Street.
Radio and television personality GiGi Diaz will be mistress of ceremonies.
The festival is also an opportunity to share holiday cheer with children who are less fortunate.
“Year after year, we’ve seen firsthand the impact that a simple gift can have on the lives of children in our community,” said Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice president of corporate relations for The Graham Companies.
This will be the second year the firm will partner with WFOR-Ch. 4 and the Neighbors 4 Neighbors program by providing a booth to accept unwrapped toys for kids.
The Giving Gators charity will deliver the gifts to local youth.
“With each toy donation, we are coming together to share holiday joy and put a smile on the faces of hundreds of children through acts of kindness,” Graham Rechichi said.
And who doesn’t love finding a new puppy or kitten beneath the tree on Christmas morning? Miami-Dade County Animal Services will have pets available for adoption.
DJs will play tunes. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., there will be complimentary activities for kids such as a putting contest; face painting; characters from holiday movies who will pose for photos; arts and crafts and glitter tattoos. Also, snacks such as shaved ice; cotton candy and popcorn will be available.
In addition to sponsors The Graham Companies and the Main Street Merchants, the supporting sponsor is HDS Companies.