FOLEY — OWA welcomes the holiday season with festive flair during the 4th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 21. Prepare for a socially distanced Christmas extravaganza as Saturday’s ceremony will include live entertainment, holiday cheer, and more surprises for those in attendance and watching from home! The ceremonial festivities will kick off in the streets of Downtown OWA at 6pm.

This year the 36-foot tall Christmas tree sits at OWA Island, overlooking the 14-acre lake and picturesque fountain in the center of the property. Festivities begin in Downtown OWA at 6pm with live music filling the air, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and joyous Christmas performers. The lighting of the tree will be at 7pm. All of the activities for this event will be live broadcasted to numerous screens throughout Downtown and through our Facebook channel (found by searching @OWA) to better accommodate social distancing.

“With the weather cooling down on the Gulf Coast, we are thrilled to welcome the holiday season once again at OWA,” said Kristin Hellmich, OWA’s Director of Marketing/PR. “Our community has welcomed us into their hearts each and every year and our Christmas Tree Lighting has become a way for us to share a little holiday magic with all of you.”

You don’t have to be an elf to like Christmas a lot. OWA has created an evening of events that entices everyone, down to the tiniest of tots! There is a full schedule of socially distanced events and entertainment during OWA’s 4th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, so be sure to arrive early and enjoy a full day of fun! Catch the thrills of The Park at OWA when it opens at noon and don’t miss new seasonal treats in the amusement park, like fried apples prepared fresh for you. Enjoy lunch at one of the many Downtown OWA restaurants and sweeten the night with a cup of cheer as you sip on The Spice & Tea Exchange’s famous hot chocolate!

Christmas Themed Activities include:

6-6:30PM • Live music from A Charlie Brown Christmas

6:30PM • Live stream special performance from Legends In Concert- A Merry Country Christmas at OWA Theater

6:40PM • Santa reads ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

7:00PM • Tree Lighting & Fireworks from OWA Island

7-7:30PM • Sting Trio Performance from Downtown OWA

7:15PM Until • Santa & Mrs. Claus Photo Op on the OWA Island

Be sure to stay after the tree lighting to catch Santa and Mrs. Claus for a socially distanced photo opportunity from the Island Stage. Santa must visit a lot of kids this year, and some of

them need our help staying safe during the pandemic; he will stick around for photos for the family, but they may look a little different this year. To visit Santa, guests should follow the signs and lineup along the bridge by Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen.

For more information on the Annual OWA Tree Lighting and festivities go to VisitOWA.com/TreeLighting20. Not able to attend the Tree Lighting event? No problem! Learn more about OWA’s restaurants, shopping, attractions, and future event at VisitOWA.com.