American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is scheduled to headline the third annual holiday event at St. Johns Town Center on November 21, 2009.

This event is  filled with holiday festivities including live entertainment, kids activities and even fireworks. Beginning at noon, you can enjoy a street festival featuring arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment, giveaways, carnival games, balloon artists, face painting and characters from the popular online community Tootsville. There will also be very merry activities like bounce houses, a magician and jugglers.

The Tree Lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with special performances from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Jacksonville Mass Choir and Charlie Walker. At 8 p.m., the fifth-season winner of American Idol Taylor Hicks will perform his soulful hit songs as well as seasonal favorites to get everyone into the holiday spirit. This season’s concert takes place in a new location in front of the Great Tree in Park Green near Maggiano’s.

Immediately following the performance, Taylor Hicks will join Santa to lead the audience in an exciting countdown to light the dazzling 30-foot tree and a spectacular fireworks finale!

“We’ve had such a great response from the community the past two years, and 2009 is even bigger and better with extended festivities,” said Kristin Balvin, director of mall marketing and business development for St. Johns Town Center. “We are thrilled to bring back the tree lighting again this year and look forward to sharing this holiday tradition with Jacksonville families.”