A community-wide Christmas Holiday kickoff will be held in Johnston the Sunday after Thanksgiving, December 1, 4-6 p.m., in downtown Johnston.

Steve Hall, Pastor of Johnston Church of God, is Chairing the program again this year. The event is co-sponsored by Johnston Church of God and the Johnston Development Corporation.

From 4-5:45 p.m. at the Municipal Parking Lot, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Program will be held, featuring performances by area church choirs and the reading of the Christmas Story. The Johnston Elementary School Chorus will also perform. The Town Christmas Tree will be lit at the end of the program at 6 p.m. by Johnston Mayor Terrence Culbreath. Santa plans to drop in between 4-5 p.m.

Local churches will sponsor games and fun activities for children. Refreshments will also be available.

The events are free and open to all.

The Johnston Development Corporation, a non-profit volunteer organization that has helped the Town of Johnston grow in many ways for over 30 years, works to aid the community in areas such as economic development, education, recreation, historic preservation, tourism, scientific and cultural opportunities, and continued promotion of Johnston.