Santa Claus and his live reindeer , professional stilt walkers and other entertainment will boost the holiday spirit throughout the Courthouse Square .
“ The Canopy of Lights is our thing . It ’ s something that people connect Moultrie and Colquitt County with because you don ’ t see it anywhere else ,” Johnson said .
The City of Moultrie received the Premier Special Event award at the August 2022 Georgia Downtown Conference for its “ Lights ! Lights ! Thanksgiving Night !” event .
Mayor William McIntosh said the event brings people together and is like a family reunion in the city .
Caroline Barber , the executive director of the Moultrie Convention and Visitors Bureau , said guests travel from out of state to experience the event .
“ They come from states away because they know and they want to experience [ it ] again . Out of all the events in town , that is the one that [ they ] never want to miss ,” Barber said in a Moultrie Observer article .
This year , guests can purchase $ 1 raffles for a chance to help Santa and the Mayor light the canopy . Johnson said the raffle is expected to be drawn on Friday , Nov . 18 . The proceeds will help support downtown enhancements .
Guests will also have an opportunity to get a head start on Christmas shopping .
More than 20 downtown merchant shops , including new businesses and expansions , will open at 4 p . m ., two hours before the Canopy of Lights is turned on for the season . They will be “ decked out ” with holiday decorations and cheer .
“ It ’ s a magical time for our businesses to be open to welcome the community . It ’ s like their Holiday Open House ,” Johnson said . “ We have so many visitors that come to this event . It ’ s a proud moment when visitors walk around and look at our community and get to experience what we have to offer .”
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