Saturday, thousands turned out for the City of Gainesville’s annual Jingle Mingle and Lighting of the Chicken, where the city offers free holiday fun for attendees and officially starts the Christmas season with the lighting of a 25-foot chicken.
People from all over Northeast Georgia and surrounding communities attended the event for food, drink and shopping deals on the Gainesville square. Attendees also took part in free family activities, from pictures with Santa and the Coca-Cola bear to carriage rides and hot cocoa, all activities were available to everyone at no cost.
As the sun went down, the city came to life with Christmas magic, from glowing trees and Christmas lights to snow falling from lamp posts. Once the city fell into darkness, it was time for the main event: the lighting of the chicken.
Gainesville is the poultry capital of the nation, and to honor the chickens and workers that have contributed to the city’s success, the city lights a 25-foot metal chicken in lieu of a tree. This annual event is a community favorite, and one of the most well-attended events of the year.
Before the lighting of the chicken, City of Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for attending the city’s event. Dunagan said this year’s crowd may be the biggest yet. After last year’s virtual lighting, citizens seemed excited to get back to enjoying city events and holiday traditions.
The chicken will stay alight through the holiday season, and visitors can see the chicken in all its 25-foot, glowing glory in Downtown Gainesville until the end of the year.
