Atlantic Beach Mayor Ellen Glasser wants to put any rumors to rest surrounding how her city will be celebrating the holiday season.
Glasser confirmed on Facebook there will be a traditional tree at the Beaches Town Center this year in the usual circle. However, one of the palms at the circle has died. Last year, two trees and two palms were in the circle.
“Christmas is alive and well,” the mayor said in a Facebook post. She decided to lay out some of the plans on social media because, “I have been advised that some fiction – or close to it – is being posted on another site about the goings on for the holidays.”
She also confirmed that the cities of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach and the Beaches Town Center will be holding a holiday tree lighting celebration on December 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the community. The actual tree lighting will be at 6 p.m.
Anyone attending is asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
This year's festivities will include a golf cart and bicycle parade.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand, although Santa won't have any physical contact with the kids. However, special mailboxes will be set up so kids can drop off their letters to Santa.
Glasser said Atlantic Beach will be helping with the lighting of trees throughout the Beaches Town Center.
Atlantic Beach will also have a tree at City Hall this year, in front of the police station, for the third year in a row.
Here's more information, including the parade route, from the Beaches Town Center Facebook page.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
