The city kicks off the Christmas season with its annual tree-lighting ceremony Thursday and follows with the annual Christmas parade Sunday afternoon.

The tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday where seasonal refreshments will be served inside Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

At 6:30 p.m. the tradition of having a city employee’s child push the button to light the tree outside continues with Haley Bell having this year’s honors.

Haley is the daughter of Roger and Katherine Bell. Bell is employed as a code enforcement officer within the city’s planning and development department.