Augusta downtown tree lighting kicks of holiday season

Augusta held its annual downtown tree lighting on Nov. 27 in Market Square on Water Street, streaming it on local access channel CTV7 and on the Augusta Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page, so city residents and other tree-lighting fans could watch while social distancing. The tree lighting kicked off the city’s 12 Days of Augusta holiday events. Bruce Chase, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department emceed. At top, members of the Central Church Choir, of Augusta, sing “O Christmas Tree” after the lighting, as Santa, his elf Kyla and Police Chief Jared Mills, all at right; Chase (behind Santa) and Mayor Dave Rollins, rear in red coat, look on. Below, Rollins, Mills, Santa and Kyla count down to the lighting. (CTV7 screen images)