Strike up the band! Here come the Christmas parades!

Yes, communities all around us are getting ready to kick off the holiday season, some of them this weekend, and that includes tree lightings.

First out of the gate are Flowery Branch and Braselton, where parades and tree lightings are scheduled Saturday, while in Gainesville the annual Jingle Mingle takes place downtown on Saturday. EARLIER STORIES: Gainesville officially kicks off the holiday season in two weeks (wgtjradio.com) Jingle Mingle street, parking closings (wgtjradio.com)

Then, next weekend, after we’ve all (maybe) recovered from our Thanksgiving feasts it’ll be Clermont’s turn, followed by Lula a week later on Dec. 2. And Gainesville’s Christmas on Green Street parade will take place the next day. EARLIER STORY: Xmas on Green St.: Some changes planned this year (wgtjradio.com)