Downtown Cullman is going to be lit this year, with a larger-than-life Christmas tree set to adorn the historic business district when the city’s annual Christmas parade and festival arrives Dec. 1. 

Mayor Woody Jacobs said this year, a bigger tree will be felled and decorated with lights for the annual tree-lighting ceremony at Depot Park.

“You should be able to see it from Highway 31,” Jacobs told the city council during its meeting Monday night. 

The city council approved a special event permit to hold the Christmas Parade and Festival from 6-9 p.m. down First Avenue and in Depot Park. Parks and Recreation Director Waid Harbison said larger floats are also on tap for the parade which will begin at 6 p.m., starting at the Busy Bee Café and heading to Depot Park. 

Afterwards, the city will light the Christmas tree, and the festival will get underway, with a petting zoo, inflatables, and free games and activities for kids. Live music, including bands and choir groups, will also perform. 

If you would like to enter a float into the parade, applications can be picked up and returned to the Cullman Civic Center. There is no cost to enter the parade, but floats must include lights and be Christmas-themed. 

For more information on entering the parade, call Waid Harbison at 256-734-9157. You can also register online at http://cullmanrecreation.formstack.com/forms/christmas_in_cullman_float

And if you’re looking for more yuletide activities, the Cullman Civic Center will host the annual Holly Market Christmas Arts & Crafts Show Dec.1-2. The two-day event will feature some of the best handmade items around, with more than 80 vendors selling crafts. Admission is free.

In other business Monday, the Cullman City Council: 

Approved Oct. 23 meeting minutes.

Approved beer and wine off-premises alcohol license for Keith Johnson for Johnson’s Pure East located at 1601 Third St. N.E. The request received a favorable recommendation from the Cullman Alcohol Review Committee.

Approved a request from Sanitation Superintendent Larry Jones to purchase a 2018 Mack Front Loading Garbage Truck on the NJPA bid list from Ingram Equipment Company, LLC in the budgeted amount of $257,000.

Held a first reading and approved annexation of property owned by James and Sarah Seymore located in the 200 block of County Road 483 into the city limits of Cullman as R-1 residential district which received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

Held a first reading and approved annexation of property owned by the City of Cullman located on Tanner Drive Northwest into the city limits of Cullman as R-1 residential district which received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

Held a first reading and approved annexation of property owned by the City of Cullman located on Mann Drive SW into the city limits of Cullman as M1-P Manufacturing District which received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

Held a first reading and approved annexation of property owned by the City of Cullman located on Railroad Bed Road into the city limits of Cullman as M1-P Manufacturing District which received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

Approved a resolution related to the appeal process for Municipal Intercept Services, LLC for debt recovery.