City sidewalks became busy sidewalks Sunday night as a group of about 75 ooohed and aahhed at the annual Christmas lighting of Orangeburg's downtown Memorial Plaza.

Young and old alike came to see the downtown 'dressed in holiday style' and to celebrate Christmas time in the city.

"Mommy, I want to see the lights," says two-year old Bella-Joy Irving, tugging eagerly on her mother, Lawanda's arm.

"OK, honey, let's go look!," mom said, being led by her pint-sized daughter who was on a mission even before the lights were turned on.

She has her Christmas list for Santa already made out.

"I want a doll baby, I want a bear (teddy), I want boots," the young Irving said.

When asked what she liked about the lights -- Irving was speechless, mouth-open seemingly gazing in wonderment.

Others were also in much the same predicament, awed by the beauty before their eyes.

Lawanda said it is all about experiencing the joy of Christmas through her daughter.

"She is two now and getting where she understands and knows what Christmas is all about and the joy of Christmas," Lawanda said. "It brings everybody out. The city is bea.jpgul .. it is just bea.jpgul to see all this."

With glee and anticipation in the air, Ferse 5&10 owners Roy and Virginia Chandler brought smiles and claps to all as the couple helped transform the Memorial Plaza into a winter wonderland of glittering lights.

Roy, who has been a business owner in Orangeburg for two decades, said Orangeburg has come a long way and that he was honored to participate in the lighting ceremony.

"With the current administration it has come back from where it was to what it is today," he said. "There has been such a change in the 22 years that we have been in business down here."

Chandler said the lights are good for the city in that they bring people out to the downtown area.

"The people are proud of downtown Orangeburg," he said. "People think downtown Orangeburg is Orangeburg. They support it and they support the businesses downtown. It is such a bea.jpgul place and attractive. People want to be a part of it."

Five-year old Chanel Salley had Santa on her mind as well.

With the lights twinkling in her eyes, Chanel, said "I would like a baby doll, a coat," only to be cut off with a 'look look' as she points to a nearby tree glittering like the winter snow. She said she would also like french fries and chicken nuggets.

Cadra Salley, 9, says she wants a Fisher Price educational computer game from Santa and -- thinking very hard -- that she would like to celebrate her other sister, Christina's, birthday in a fun way this coming Saturday.

Christina said she likes the lights.

"I hope this will make more people come and like the city," she said.

About 4,000 to 5,000 lights adorn the plaza area with about 60 downtown street light poles sparkling with lighted garland.

Santa is spotted hands on hips with a big grin while beside him is his sleigh and two tiny reindeer led by Rudolph and his faded red nose.

Where are the other six reindeer?

Apparently, they have left Santa's side to frolic throughout the plaza. Some are seen drinking water while others are seen hiding behind bushes.

Off of Middleton Street heading toward City Hall, one spies an angel gloriously singing Happy Holidays to all passersby.

A toy train carrying presents is going to good little boys and girls and four-little bears also take time out to enjoy the lights and a candy cane.

Orangeburg mayor Paul Miller said the turning on of the Christmas lights has become a Christmas tradition he always looks forward to.

"We have easily 40,000 plus people that go through the Gardens (city) and to enjoy the beautiful lights," he said. "The decision to do this on Sunday and Monday before Thanksgiving was made many years ago because of the number of people that come home to Orangeburg to visit their families for Thanksgiving."

Dr. Jerry Songer, interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Orangeburg, provided the Christmas message.

He encouraged people to 'experience a presence' of God this holiday season.

"But also that you might hear a voice," he said, referring to a recent book he read -- "True Believer" by Nicholas Sparks and his theme that each community needs to have an identity. "I think may we at this season of this year see and hear some voices ... that might speak to us in making this community even more unique and unusual than it is."

Songer referred to the founder of Habitat for Humanity Millard Fuller, who was very wealthy, had a change of heart about all his dreams of success that prompted him to give away all his possessions.

"This holiday season ... may we give a hand," he said, encouraging those to help those less fortunate this holiday season. "May we pause and thank God for all that we have experienced and for all that we shall experience."

Prior to the lighting of the plaza, the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association's and the City of Orangeburg's "Christmas Joy!" held its annual Christmas program at the Stevenson Auditorium.

The program featured the Fine Arts Department of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and such holiday favorites as "O Holy Night", "White Christmas" and "Joy to the World."

In addition to the holiday cheer, attendees were treated to some hot chocolate provided by the city.

The lighting ceremony is the first of a two-day Christmas extravaganza for the city.

Kids' Walk and Children's Garden Christmas

At 6 p.m. tonight, the Children's Garden Christmas and the Kids' Walk at Edisto Memorial Gardens will be lit in the lower parking lot.

The event is free and open to the public. This year will mark the city's 15th annual program.

Dr. Henry Frierson will light the Kids' Walk, and former South Carolina State University Head Football Coach Willie Jeffries and his wife, Mary, will light the Children's Garden Christmas.

Frierson served 36 years as a surgeon at the Orangeburg Regional Hospital and, beginning in 1981, the Regional Medical Center. He has also served in a number of professional organizations, including the American Board of Surgery, American College of Surgeons, S.C. Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and S.C. Surgical Society. He retired from practice in 1994.

Jeffries began his coaching career in high school leagues, leading Granard High School to three straight South Carolina Class AAA championships (1964-66). He later become the winningest head coach in both S.C. State and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history and served a brief stint with Louisiana's Grambling State University as its athletics director.

Since his retirement, Jeffries has kept busy as a fund-raiser, guest speaker, radio analyst for S.C. State football games and participant in various statewide and community events.

The Rev. Mike Smith, senior pastor at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Orangeburg, will present the Christmas message.

Following the Kids' Walk/Children's Garden Christmas lighting ceremony and visits with Santa, the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center will present "The Sights and Sounds of Christmas" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Lusty Gallery.

Riverside Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic at approximately 5:30 p.m. for the lighting of the Children's Garden Christmas and Kids' Walk. It will reopen to one-way traffic at 8 p.m. following the event.

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