Christmas has officially arrived in Dawsonville. The city welcomed the holiday season with a parade through the historic downtown Saturday evening, and waited until dark to light the city’s Christmas tree.

Families gathered around the historic courthouse and along Hwy. 53 towards the Dawsonville Municipal Complex to watch as some familiar faces came through town.

The Grinch himself was apprehended by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office for trying to steal Christmas away from local children. The Mayor of Whoville and Cindy Lou Who were in town to help judge the floats in the parade.

Based on their votes, Harmony Baptist Church’s locomotive float won first place for Best Float while the sheriff’s office’s valiant efforts to apprehend the Grinch secured a second place victory. KG Cleaning’s band of superheroes like Spiderman, Iron Man and Captain America earned them third place. The judges were impressed with Dawson Insurance’s snowmen in a winter wonderland, winning the group the coveted Most Creative Float.

After Mr. and Mrs. Claus concluded the parade, they took time to meet with the boys and girls of Dawsonville at city hall while families gathered to see the enormous Christmas tree in front of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame be lit.

City Hall was bustling with Christmas cheer as hundreds gathered around to stop by the food trucks and fire pits to make roasted marshmallows. The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame was teeming with people perusing the annual Jingle Market that’s sponsored by the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.

By 6:15 p.m., it was dark enough to light the tree. Families gathered around and chimed in with the countdown and cheered in celebration when the tree’s lights illuminated the night, ensuring that Christmas was alive and well in Dawsonville once again.