The weather outside may not be exactly frightful this week, but the glow from the courthouse Christmas tree will certainly be delightful on Friday.

The Jessamine County Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the courthouse on Main Street in Nicholasville. Per tradition, local children will herald in the season with Christmas carols as Judge/Executive West and the Jessamine County Fiscal Court invite all ages to join them on the courthouse lawn for free photos and a visit with Santa.

Also scheduled for the event is “The Christmas Story” presented by the Jessamine County Ministerial Association and a Christmas Reading provided by the Jessamine County Public Library. Complimentary refreshments will be available for all who attend.

For more information on the event, visit www.jessamine.com or call 859-885-4500. Updates will be available on the “Jessamine County, Kentucky” Facebook page.

Next Saturday, Nicholasville will be the site of the fourth annual St. “Nich” Fest. The community festival will offer a full day of family-friendly activities, including shopping, food trucks and music.

Festivities at this year’s event will include a St. “Nich” Festival Christmas Parade on Main Street in historic downtown Nicholasville, a Nicholasville/Jessamine County Parks & Recreation “Ugly Christmas Sweater” 5K Run, an elf costume contest, photos with Santa, classic holiday films and more. During the event, an old-fashioned trolley will carry festival goers to destination stops in historic downtown Nicholasville.

For a full schedule of St. “Nich” Fest events, be sure to check out the comprehensive schedule located in the St. “Nich” Fest supplement inside this issue.