CORNELIA, GA — A cheerful crowd gathered downtown Saturday night as Mayor John Borrow and his son, Jake, flipped the switch to illuminate Cornelia’s Christmas tree, officially opening the city’s holiday season.
The tree — glowing with white lights — stands beside the Big Red Apple and mirrors the thousands of lights strung throughout downtown. Borrow thanked residents for turning out and encouraged them to enjoy the shops and restaurants that stayed open for the event.
“We are so grateful to have y’all in downtown Cornelia,” Borrow told the crowd. “We believe we’ve got a lot of great things going on in Cornelia. While you’re down here, make sure you visit some of the shops and restaurants.”
Borrow also reminded attendees that next weekend’s Christmas in Cornelia celebration will return downtown.
“Next Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. this place will be packed,” he said. “We’re going to have Santa, we’re going to have shops, we’re going to have all sorts of great things. So make sure you make a point to come down.”
VIDEO Cornelia tree lighting
As the countdown to the lighting began, Borrow introduced Jake as his “helper” for the ceremony, noting that the moment marked the city’s “official start of the Christmas season.” After counting down from ten, the pair threw the switch, drawing cheers as the tree lit up.
Afterward, Borrow told Now Habersham that the tradition remains one of his favorite moments of the year.
“It’s fun. It’s really fun because we’re part of a small community, and having everybody come together and have the official start of the Christmas season,” he said. “It’s just a really great event for us to celebrate and also not forget that the main reason for the season is Jesus.”
Cornelia’s next holiday event, Christmas in Cornelia, is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 9 p.m.
