The countdown is under way for the lighting of the city’s 100-foot Christmas tree.
The On the Ave event will take place Dec. 1 at Old School Square, starting at 5 p.m., when children’s author Jaclyn Stapp will read “The Night Before Christmas,” as well as her new children’s book, “Wacky Jacky: the True Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen.” There will also be a performance by Lizzie Sider, a 13-year-old country and pop singer, and appearances by music groups from local schools. Santa Claus will make his grand entrance at 7 p.m. on the CBS Sky 12 helicopter, and the tree will be lit at 7:15.