The annual Lighting of Downtown will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at One Griffin Center. The centerpiece of this year’s celebration will be the lighting of the old Dundee Mills Christmas tree, which will be placed at the customer service entrance of One Griffin Center.

“That is going to bring a little nostalgia to downtown,” said Griffin Main Street Program Manager Kira Harris-Braggs.

Organized by the city of Griffin, the Griffin Main Street Program and the Griffin Downtown Council, the event will also feature music by The Salvation Army Band and a dance performance by the local Creative Praise Dance Academy.

What’s more, the First Baptist Church of Griffin will serve hot cocoa and present a live Nativity scene. The award-winning Griffin High School chorus will provide concert music.

Plus, “Santa is going to make an appearance,” Harris-Braggs said.

Last year, about 300 people attended the Lighting of Downtown.

“We are hoping to have many more guests this year,” she said, adding that this will hopefully encourage people to shop and do business in downtown Griffin.

“We are trying to create a very festive atmosphere for the holidays. We expect lots of children,” she said.