The official kick-off to the Conyers-Rockdale holiday season is the weekend of Nov. 30 with a party, parade, tree lighting and ice skating.

The Olde Town Christmas Party will be held on Friday, Nov. 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring complimentary carriage and train rides, a Secret Santa Shop for children, visits and photos with Santa at the Depot and shopping and dining specials throughout Olde Town Conyers. 

The next day, Saturday, Dec. 1, the Hometown Holiday Parade with a theme of “A Star-Spangled Christmas” will begin at 4:30 p.m. starting from Rockdale County High School followed by the community tree lighting and local performances at the Rockdale County Courthouse. Parade floats will be decked out in red, white and blue and celebrating the armed forces and love of our country.

Designated trucks will be in the parking lot at Rockdale County High School on parade day as well as at the Rockdale County Courthouse for canned food donations. A container will also be placed at the ice skating rink, located at 949 S. Main Street, on parade day for food bank donations. A list of suggested items for donations is available on the city website.
Following the parade, the 2012 Annual Tree Lighting celebration will begin immediately after the parade at around 6 p.m.
The annual celebration will feature performances by local choirs and dance groups, food and, of course, an appearance by Santa. The Rockdale County Fraternal Order of Firefighters will sell snack items including pizza, hotdogs, hot chocolate and more for the public’s enjoyment. All proceeds will go towards helping local families facing hardship pay for food and presents for the holidays.

After the performances, Santa will light the County Christmas tree.

Ice skating at the Olde Town Pavilion opened Nov. 16 and will remain open through Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. Skating hours of operation can be found on the Have An Ice Day website at icedays.com.