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LaGrange Mayor Jim Arrington will host the Second Annual Mayor’s Christmas Ball on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Great Wolf Lodge.

The event was created last year by the late Mayor Willie T. Edmondson. Proceeds from the event will go to a memorial scholarship fund created in his name.

The event will include dinner and dancing, along with live music from singer/songwriter Michael O’Brien and the local group Front Porch Collective. Three-time number-one hit singer O’Brien is the former lead singer of the Georgia-based Christian group NewSong. 

“I’m very excited to continue the tradition Mayor Edmonson started. It’s for a great cause. We’ve given away four scholarships to local students from the local schools here in town,” Arrington said,

Arrington said the scholarships are awarded to deserving students, particularly kids who otherwise might not be able to go to college due to not having the money to go.

“Supporting our young people is extremely important to me. If we invest in our youth, we can feel good about our future,” said Arrington. “Willie was my good friend, and I wanted to make sure we hosted the Mayor’s Christmas Ball this year to honor his legacy and continue this wonderful tradition of supporting our young leaders in Troup County.”

“This will be a great day and a great scholarship,” Arrington said.

“We’re going to have videos of the recipients of the scholarships from last year and have their testimony of what kind of difference those scholarships made for them,” Arrington said. “We got music, and we might even do a little dancing at the end.”

Attendees are also encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to the event for the local Empty Stocking Fund. The toys will be given to Troup County children whose families may not have the means to provide a Christmas for them.

A new addition to the ball this year is an online auction to help raise money for the scholarship[ fund. Donated items will be auctioned off online so everyone can get involved and contribute to the scholarship fund.

“Whether you join us in person, donate a toy, bid on an auction item, or all of the above, I’m hoping our community will once again come together for this wonderful cause,” said Arrington.

To learn more about the LaGrange Mayor’s Christmas Ball 2024 and ticket information, go to www.lagrangemayorsball.com.