(Atlantic, Iowa) – An event that’s taken place for more than 30-years in downtown Atlantic, returns Thursday evening to kick-off the holiday season. Bailey Smith, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says the Grand Lighting Ceremony wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of the City’s Street Department crew.

The LED lights are wired into the power grid operated by Atlantic Municipal Utilities.

They were able to get everything up and tested before the beginning of the week. The “Jolly Old Elf” (Santa), will flip the ceremonial switch to turn the lights in the downtown corridor “on,” but there are other activities planned leading up to the flip of the switch.

Santa will arrive by firetruck at around 5:30-p.m.

In years past, Santa has occasionally arrived by helicopter, but Smith says the conditions are often not conducive to flight, so they decided the safest option was having him delivered by Atlantic Volunteer Fireman, on a fire truck. The kids will be able to visit with him in Santa’s Cabin located in the downtown Atlantic City Park. Read more about what’s in-store for the holiday’s in Atlantic, at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.atlanticiowa.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017.