The holidays can officially begin — now that the annual Downtown Christmas Holiday Celebration is in the books.

Beginning with a Christmas parade featuring the jolliest elf himself, Santa Claus, and ending with Chili Town, the event included vendors, live music and so much more. 

Live performances by the Statesboro High School Drama Troupe, the Bulloch County Elementary Schools Combined Chorus, Victorian Christmas carolers, Southern Soarettes and Georgia Southern's Phi Mu Alpha fraternity, as well as performances by the Cotton Rose School of Dance, delighted all in attendance. 

Winners of the Chili Town chili cook-off were: Property Pros from Great Georgia Realty, Judge's Choice; Vandy's, Best Restaurant (second year in a row); Spice Boys, People's Choice; and Ogeechee Steamers, Best Booth.