Santa Claus will usher in the holiday season from aboard a Gainesville fire truck to begin the annual Jingle Mingle in downtown Gainesville.

Sponsored by Main Street Gainesville, this year’s event will start at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, with Santa’s ride around the downtown square. 

“It’s our kickoff to the holiday season,” said Regina Mansfield, manager of Main Street Gainesville.  “Every year, it’s grown more and more. And it’s a really great community event.”

Throughout the evening, free carriage rides for all ages and kiddie train rides will chug around the square. Santa also will be available for photos inside former Frames You-Nique on the square. Or you can drop off a letter for the Jolly Old Elf at the letter-writing station.

Stores will be open late and offer refreshments or special deals to launch the holiday shopping season.

In addition, live music will be featured. The Believers Band will perform inside Main Street Market while Voices of North Georgia sing inside Rahab’s Rope.

The evening’s festivities lead up to the main event, the annual lighting of the chicken above Main Street Market at 7 p.m. Constructed by Main Street Market owners, Deb and Don Harkrider, the enormous iron chicken will stay lit throughout the holiday season.

“Where else can you go that you can light a giant chicken up at Christmas?” Mansfield said. “Only in Gainesville, because we are in the poultry capital of the world. People love it. There will be a huge crowd.”

Mansfield said the event attracts thousands of people to downtown, providing an economic boost to more than 50 shops and a dozen restaurants in and around the square. She said many stores have reported record sales because of business from Jingle Mingle.

“For our small businesses, it’s very important that we draw attention to them and bring people to our downtown,” she said. “They really depend on this event.”

Jingle Mingle ends at 8 p.m.

For more information, visit the Downtown Gainesville Facebook page or call 770-297-1141.