A new Christmas event on the square begins this year as a way to wrap up the season’s festivities.  Christmas Caroling on Lafayette Square is a community sing-along hosted by the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority.

Families are invited to be part of a community choir Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. Songbooks and candles will be handed out on the square and everyone will be led in singing by local choral directors.   

“I hope people in the community will take an hour out of their day to come out for a community sing along,” said Barbie Watts, DLDA Director of Promotions and Marketing. 

The Hernandez family singers will perform three songs, and each choral director will lead three songs for a total of 18 carols, according to Watts. The directors are Bettie Biggs of Choral Society of West Georgia, Darian Krimm of Sons of Lafayette , Rachel Krimm of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Stacey Hardigree of Young Singers of West Georgia and Samantha Cotton of the Troup County School System.

Watts said many people in the community are helping put the event together. The Young Singers of West Georgia will lead the opening songs, and Ken Passmore of LaGrange College will be the accompanist. Amy McDow of LaGrange Society of Performing Arts provided the songbook layout. Donna and Bobby Padgett of Country’s Barbecue covered the printing expense of the songbooks and are providing volunteers to distribute songbooks and candles. The Lafayette  Society for Performing Arts will also provide volunteers. 

The idea for community caroling came from resident Bob Goehring, who learned about a similar tradition in New Orleans that’s been celebrated for over 40 years.  

“It seems to be a perfect fit for our community. We hope that caroling at Lafayette  Square will become a beloved holiday tradition for LaGrange,” Watts said.  

In addition to the caroling event, ongoing free holiday events will be in their last long weekend.  

Holiday carriage rides will be available for free Dec. 19 and 20 from 5  p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 21 through 23 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.  

The mini horse and sleigh for kids will run Dec. 21 through Dec. 23 from 1  p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Santa on the Square will be held Saturday, December 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., before Santa heads back to the North Pole.  St. Nick will pose for pictures and hear Christmas wishes.   

Santa was in the square Saturday, Dec. 15 with Elf on the Shelf, taking pictures with girls and boys who stopped by.

Rebecca Keegan brought her kids to the event for the first time.  

Her daughter Sarah wanted to ask Santa for a pug dog and brother Jackson wanted a sword. 

“I want to pretend to fight somebody,” Jackson Keegan said.  

Santa had some words for kids to remember on Christmas Eve.  

“Make sure you go to bed and be good,” Santa said. “And make sure you’re not mean to anybody, and have a very merry Christmas.”