DEMOPOLIS &045;Christmas on the River 2006 has officially kicked-off following the Lighting of the Love Light Tree at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital that was held on Sunday and last night’s crowning of St. Nicholas ceremony, lantern light parade and the Demopolis Singers performance

Verne and June Humble were crowned St. Nicholas at the Demopolis Civic Center. The event also served as the unveiling of the new &8216;Cookies for St. Nick’ cookbook. Samples from the cookbook were available. The night was also the time for the local children to &8216;shine’ their handmade Christmas lanterns. Following the Crowning of St. Nicholas and Lantern Light Parade the Demopolis Singers performed their holiday concert at the Old School.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will also make a stop in Demopolis with their Holiday on the Road concert tonight at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, located at 109 South Strawberry Avenue.

The Holiday on the Road concert will feature popular Christmas classics. The program will include many holiday favorites such as &8216;Winter Wonderland,&8221; &8220;O Holy Night,&8221; &8220;Santa Claus is Coming to Town&8221; and selections from the Nutcracker and Babes in Toyland.

Rush said prior to the orchestra’s performance the First Baptist Church’s handbell ensemble will perform holiday tunes in front of the gymnasium from 6:30 p.m. until the orchestra begins.

The Demopolis Chamber of Commerce, Regions Bank and the Gloria Narramore Moody foundation are presenting the concert.

Resident Conductor Christopher Confessore will lead the ASO in a winter wonderland featuring popular classics for the holiday season.