The large, steel chicken atop Main Street Gainesville on the downtown Gainesville Square was illuminated Thursday night, signifying the start of the Gainesville's holiday season and the finale of Jingle Mingle.
Jingle Mingle is longstanding annual tradition that celebrates Christmas and the holidays the week before Thanksgiving, and a week before the start of the holiday shopping season. Police barricaded and closed the Square to traffic while minglers enjoyed extended store hours, horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, live music and plenty of holiday cheer. Local businesses not only extended hours but some also donated to fund the activities, and many filled their storefronts with garland, lights and wintery decor.
The chicken was locally crafted by Lanier Technical College welding students, debuting last year at the celebration, after the previous chicken became damaged.
Jingle Mingle is hosted by Downtown Gainesville and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.
Joy Holmes, intern, created this video for AccessWDUN.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/11/735958/video-jingle-mingle-rings-in-gainesville-holiday-season