Lighting ceremony to kick off festival

The Nacogdoches holiday season will get an electrifying kick off November 18 when more than 3 million lights are set aglow downtown.

The Lighting & Opening Ceremony kicks off the 10th annual Nine Flags Festival and marks the official start of the holiday season.

Festivities will get under way at 5 p.m. with live entertainment, food vendor booths, carriage rides and pictures with Santa. Children's activities include train and Ferris-wheel rides, face-painting and demonstrations by Texas trick roper Burt Hairgrove. Festival organizers will also raffle off an 8-foot stuffed Christmas stocking.

The lights are set to come on just before 8 p.m., and the evening will culminate in an exciting fireworks display. Admission to the festival is free.