Cumming Christmas Parade, Jingle Jog, Tree Lighting Saturday

It's probably safe to say that this weekend kicks off the Christmas season in Cumming with three annual holiday events.

There's the 7th annual Cumming Christmas Parade, the 3rd annual Jingle Jog and the 24th annual Celebration of Lights all taking place on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The day begins with the Jingle Jog 5K, a Peachtree Road Race qualifier, with registration at 7:30 a.m.

The race starts at 9 a.m. beginning at 2085 Market Place Boulevard in the Cumming Town Center. From that point on participants will travel east down Mary Alice Park Road and loop around bringing you back to Cumming Town Center (click here for the race route).

There will be water stops along the way with a participant’s package and festive event t-shirt. The entry fee is $30 for this chip-timed race. Visit the website for more information.

The day continues with the 7th annual Cumming Christmas Parade and Festival at 3:30 p.m. This year's parade is expected to be bigger and better than in previous years with at least 55 floats, according to Anna Barlow, parade coordinator.

She tells Cumming Patch among this year's floats will be dance troupes, the South Forsyth High School Marching Band, local dignitaries like the mayor and city council.

"You’ve got the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts," says Barlow. "And Santa Claus is at the end."

The parade is expected to last for about an hour beginning on Market Place Boulevard between Buford Dam Road and Highway 20.

After the parade make your way to Northside Hospital-Forsyth for the 24th annual Celebration of Lights. The action starts at 4:30 p.m. with local entertainment, photos with Santa Claus and many other activities for the family and kids. Then at 6:30 p.m. it's the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in honor of those affected by cancer.

“Celebration of Lights is such a wonderful event that I look forward to each year and I know that our staff, our patients and the community do, too,” said Lynn Jackson, administrator, Northside Hospital-Forsyth. “It’s a great reminder of the hope and promise that the holiday seasons can bring, which is what we want for everyone affected by cancer.”

This annual holiday tradition is expected to bring together more than 3,000 people with WSB-TV news anchor Fred Blankenship emceeing again this year.

See the agenda below:

4:30-4:40 – Lynn Jackson – Introductions of Santa Claus and Fred Blankenship
4:40-4:55 – Coal Mountain Elementary
5:00-5:10 – Nia Holloway, Alpharetta High School
5:15-5:30 – Sawnee Ballet Theater
5:35-5:50 - Haw Creek Elementary
5:55-6:05 – Forsyth Central High Chamber Singers
6:10-6:25 – Piney Grove Middle School Show choir
6:30 – Tree Lighting and Forsyth Central High Chamber Singers

You might also be interested in reading:

Magical Nights of Lights Celebrates 20th Year

Cumming Christmas Parade Rings in the Season

Festive Weekend in Cumming with 'Celebration of Lights'