NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - Niceville’s City Hall complex will be turned into a festive Christmas wonderland at the end of November as the inaugural Community Christmas kicks off with its Town Hall Weekend Festival, Friday Nov. 30 – Saturday, December 1. The month-long holiday celebration is sponsored by the Niceville Community Guild.

The Christmas festivities begin Friday evening with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and performances by choirs from the First Baptist Church of Niceville, known for its popular Singing Christmas Tree.

Saturday features the arrival of Santa, a performance by the Ballet Conservatory, church choirs, the Ruckel Middle School Dance and Cheer teams, and putting contests for children and adults.

On both Friday and Saturday there will be strolling carolers, storytellers, Christmas characters and children’s Christmas craft activities. Friday’s hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday’s hours are 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

An Elf Parade, featuring local children, is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday. To participate, youngsters simply need to show up dressed as an elf.

In addition to local entertainment and Christmas activities, the City Hall complex will feature the area’s largest and most festive Christmas winter wonderland with holiday lights, motorized characters and displays, a Christmas miniatures village, drive-by and walk-through lighted Christmas scenes and displays, and a Santa’s workshop.

Vendors will sell unique Christmas crafts, food, and hot and cold beverages. Boy Scouts will sell Christmas trees during the Town Hall Weekend.

Things seem to be coming together pretty much like we planned,” said Connie Naftel, president of Niceville Community Guild. “I think it’s going to be a great time for everyone.”

Many of the Christmas displays come from the City of Niceville, which will not be decorating along John Sims Parkway this year due to the road improvements underway. Several new displays have been purchased by the Guild and others have been handcrafted by volunteers, said Naftel.

Debbie Lewis, known as The Christmas Lady, is moving her huge annual Christmas display from her Niceville home to the Community Christmas celebration. In years past, Lewis’ Animation in Motion, Santa’s Village and Christmas miniatures display attracted thousands of visitors.

Community Christmas will light up the City Hall complex every evening through Dec. 29. Beginning Dec. 2, the hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Organizers are planning to have local entertainment each night at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Also, several local groups and organizations will sell holiday goodies at nightly bake sales. A live Nativity scene will be on display Dec. 14-15.

The Community Christmas Guild is still seeking volunteers, entertainers, vendors, sponsors and cash donations. Needed are strolling carolers, storytellers, choruses, musicians, dancers, singers, theater troupes and other volunteers. Nonprofit organizations are invited to hold a bake sale. For more information or to volunteer call 428-9753.

Naftel said that while interest in the event is high, cash donations and sponsorships have been slow in coming. Individual and corporate financial contributions are used to help purchase displays and other needed items and materials for the event.

“That part has been real disappointing because it’s not what we expected,” said Naftel.

Those wishing to make a cash donation can do so by dropping it by the Niceville Water Department or mailing it to: The Niceville Community Guild, P.O. Box 644, Niceville, FL 32588. Check should be made payable to City Hall/Niceville Community Christmas.

Get complete information about the month-long Community Christmas celebration, including the daily schedule of activities and events, by visiting the Guild's Web site.

The Niceville City Hall complex is located on Partin Drive between John Sims Parkway and Palm Blvd. The festivities will take place at the library, children’s park and courtyard area.