(MURFREESBORO) With temps in the pleasant 50s, around 6:00 o'clock Friday night (12/6/2019), thousands packed the inner circle on the east side of the Rutherford County Courthouse for a Christmas gala and lighting of the community Christmas tree.

This was the second year we used the giant 30-plus foot tall Yule tree. In the past, a tree had to be cut and brought to the Murfreesboro square.

County Mayor Bill Ketron explained . . .

Downtown businesses competedfor the BEST WINDOW DECORATIONS. The winning business was Country Gourmet receiving the $150 award. The "Voters Choice Award" has a $250 cash award and it went to Reinvented Lemon. A special thank you to Redstone Federal Credit Union for sponsoring this competition.

And after the live performances, Santa went into the courthouse to have his picture made with the good little boys and girls. The public had an opportunity to browse the downtown merchants while Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department showed the movie "Polar Express".

Next on this weekend calendar is:

Saturday 4-8PM Oakland Mansion's Candlelight Tour of Homes CLICK HERE for list and addresses for participating homes.

CHRISTMAS PARADE Sunday 2PM starts on East Main Street at MTSU, goes down East Main, around the square, and ends on Walnut Street. Judge Don Ash is the Grand Marshal and the theme of the 2019 Parade is "The Sounds of Christmas".