GALLERY: Easley's Grand Illumination Celebration

It's officially Christmastime in Easley, as the city rang in the season with its Grand Illumination tree-lighting ceremony downtown Friday night. 

The festivities, sponsored by the Gilstrap Family Dealerships, began at 5:30pm, as downtown merchants held Open Houses with extended hour at their shops. 

Ann Hampton signed copies of her book, "Kimberly's Flight" at Poor Richard's Bookstore. Rainbow Billards lit their own Christmas tree during the celebration. Walkers got to watch Spotlight Dance students practice. 

Attendees enjoyed live entertainment in the gazebo and horse-drawn carriage rides around downtown Easley. 

As the tree-lighting time drew nearer, the crowd made its way to the huge tree in front of City Hall. 

The Salvation Army chose the Grand Illumination ceremony as the perfect opportunity to kick off its holiday fundraising. Mayor Larry Bagwell made the first donation in the Salvation Army kettle as the crowd rang bells. 

Bagwell welcomed the crowd to Easley, asking the crowd to please give to The Salvation Army before they left, and, as they unwrapped presents on Christmas morning, to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, the reason for the season. 

Alan Callahan, senior pastor at The Warehouse Church, gave the invocation and spoke of how it was appropriate to begin the Christmas season with an illumination ceremony, as God created the world of the darkness and then gave light to the world through his son Jesus.

The Easley High School Choir sang carols, their voices ringing out as the tree lit up. 

The fun continues this morning with the Easley Christmas Parade, which begins at 10am.