Thousands of Gainesville and Hall County residents witnessed the lighting of a brand new chicken sculpture at the annual Jingle Mingle on the Square.
The chicken was welded by Lanier Technical College students and was hoisted on top of Main Street Market last week.
Aside from the lighting, stores on the square kept their doors open for holiday shopping and families waited patiently in lines to ride the kiddie train and get photos with Santa Claus.
Click the gallery above to see some photos from the event.
Lots of cheering and excitement at Jingle Mingle Thursday night, as the brand new chicken atop Main Street Market is finally lit up.
Thousands filled the streets of the Square, which was closed to through traffic.
The inaugural lighting of the brand new chicken.
The new chicken was created by welding students at Lanier Tech. They were welcomed to the stage ahead of the lighting.
Twinkle lights and holiday decorations everywhere means plenty of spots for the perfect photo op.
At last - Santa! After waiting in a line down the Square, two little girls get their moment with St. Nick.
A coloring station allowed kids to color Christmas themed images with Santa's elves
Shops on the Square were open for a little longer Thursday, and many were decorated for Christmas
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/11/606787/gainesville-rings-in-the-holidays-with-annual-jingle-mingle