(Press release)

Every year, thanks to the hard work of the GKCC Ambassadors, the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce facility and the historic Santa Fe Plaza are among the most festively decorated areas in the City of Killeen. For the third year, the Chamber and the Ambassadors will mark the occasion of turning on the lights with a special Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Open House on Thursday, December 4, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the chamber, One Santa Fe Plaza.

"This is something we enjoy doing for the community," said 2008-2009 Ambassador Chairman Sherry Hoffpauir of Shilo Inn. "We’re glad we can add to the Christmas spirit!"

The Ambassadors accomplished the extensive decorating process on Saturday, November 22, and worked through the following two weeks to make sure everything will be just right.

Then on Thursday, December 4, the chamber will invite chamber members and officials, City of Killeen officials, other downtown merchants and the community at large for a special lighting ceremony to turn on the lights officially for the first time during this holiday season.

And, as was the case last year, the Ambassador Kids will play a very special part in the ceremony. "This was so popular last year, "said Ambassador social chairman Andrea Howard of Residence Inn by Marriott, "we didn’t even think of not doing it again for 2008."

Included in the lighting will be the city’s first "official" Christmas Tree, planted at the east end of Santa Fe Plaza.

Following the official lighting, there will be holiday beverages and snacks for everyone attending in the chamber’s Paulette Bargen Conference Room.

Additionally, the chamber is inviting all downtown business to participate in the additional downtown area traffic that evening by having their holiday decorations put up by December 4, and remaining open until 7 p.m. or later to welcome downtown visitors to their stores.