George Streetfest on Main and St. George City are combining holiday celebrations on Friday, Dec. 4, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Historic Downtown as first Friday and the seventh George Streetfest take on a holiday flavor.
The Gingerbread Tour will have downtown merchants drafting, crafting, baking, and making edible masterpieces for display and voting beginning Tuesday, Dec. 1. Participants include George’s Corner, Painted Pony, Art & Soul Gallery, Farmers Market, Cappelletti’s, Twenty Five Main, Children’s Museum, Wide Angle Gallery, and One Hot Grill. The champion will be determined this year by votes collected at locations by ballot, online, and social media voting. Ballot collection will take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 4, with the winner announced by Mayor Jon Pike on the main stage at 8:45 p.m. Vote online at georgestreetfest.com and on Facebook.
Throughout the Friday evening festivities, DJ Lex will keep holiday choirs and carolers hopping on the main stage, and local favorites Soul What!? will be headlining at 9 p.m. Lead singer Alice Erickson said crowds can expect a few holiday surprises from the band at this performance.
For the youth, St. George City will offer a visit with Santa, carousel rides, and a variety of craft stations for kids at Town Square. Tabernacle Street will light up with DJ Spinz and his youth dance party. Spinz promises to keep families moving and entertained by a variety of interactive dance performances throughout the evening. Tabernacle Street and the George Jr. Village also offers a climbing wall for kids, games, and youth activities hosted by Habitat for Humanity and St. George Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Zion Brewing Company Jazz Garden will add the soulful sounds of a crooner, offering an old-fashioned Christmas concert at Ancestor Square Courtyard.
“It’ll be like having our own Bing Crosby Christmas at the Jazz Garden,” said Carlyle Potter of the West Coast Jazz Players. “This is a really neat venue for adults to come and enjoy quality jazz music and some of southern Utah’s finest foods.”
In addition to beer, wine, and a variety of beverage options, Benja’s Thai Garden is planning to serve up hot sushi and warm sake rice wine. George’s Corner will offer Frito Sliders, and Painted Pony will serve hot bacon-wrapped dates.
To keep crowds warm, St. George City Fire Dept. will line the street with fire barrels. The Farmers Market will serve complimentary hot wassail at Ancestor Square with plenty of hot chocolate options at the Robert J Debry Food Truck Village on Main Street.
“We are excited to bring the City’s Christmas activities together with the Gingerbread Tour on the first Friday this December,” said Mayor Jon Pike. “Adding to the festivity at Historic Downtown, we hope families will come enjoy some hot cocoa, children’s crafts, a carousel ride and a visit with Santa at Town Square.”
Recipients of the Supporting Artists with Vision Scholarship sponsored by Richens Eye Center in December are Lynne Clark-Brunson and her son, Matt Clark. Lynne will feature her historical photo book, “Images of Faith,” and Matt will showcase his metal sculpture. Both artists are scheduled to offer products for purchase.
The Supporting Artists with Vision Scholarship offers street accommodations, including tent and vendor fees, for up to two southern Utah artists each month. For more information, please visit georgestreetfest.com or email george@emceesquare.com.
Entertainment lineup
6 p.m.
Main stage: George Streetfest event launch, Canyon Media emcee
Town Square: Elementary school choirs perform until 9 p.m.
Jazz Garden opens at Ancestor Square Courtyard
6:15 p.m.
Main stage: DJ Lex and Bloomington Elementary Choir
6:30 p.m.
Jazz Garden: Live jazz performance begins at Jazz Garden
7 p.m.
Main stage: Desert Hills High School Jazz Band
Jazz Garden: Jim Griffiths performs vocal jazz tunes
8 p.m.
Main stage: St. George News TV personalities emcee Jazz Garden
8:15 p.m.
Main stage: Leisure EEEE’s perform vocal holiday ensemble
8:45 p.m.
2015 Gingerbread Tour winner announced, trophy presentation
9 p.m.
Main stage: Soul What!?
In the case of inclement weather, the Jazz Garden will move inside the Ancestor Square Tower Building.
