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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- You know the holiday season is on its way when towns across Southeast Iowa hold their annual tree lighting ceremonies.

In Ottumwa, the tree lighting festival is set to take place on Thursday, November 29 and will be held in conjunction with the Christmas Boutique in the Hotel Ottumwa. The boutique has local artists and shops that offer gifts for purchase.

The tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m. in Central Park, with Little Miss Main Street turning on the lights. This year, a new feature was added to the ceremony.

"Along with [the tree lighting] this year, we have 24 real Christmas trees that are memory trees that people have purchased to be in memory of somebody or to honor someone, so we'll have those 24 trees that will be lit," said Fred Zesiger, Board President of Main Street Ottumwa.

Along with the ceremony and boutique, "Polar Express" will be played for the kids at 6:30 p.m.

Everyone who attends on Thursday is asked to bring along a present to donate to the Ottumwa Fire Department's Sparky Claus drive for kids in need.

The Christmas Boutique will run from 4-8 p.m. in the second floor ballroom.