SAGINAW, Mich. -- The Holidays in the Heart of the City festival kicks off with a number of activities in Saginaw.

The Friday night event, organized by the group Pride in Saginaw, will hold a tree-lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at the city water treatment plant.

During these tough times, the festivity should give the community a boost.

“Last year things were looking pretty grim around here, and 'Holidays' was probably the best attended we’ve ever had,” said Kathy Reis, with Pride in Saginaw.

The Saginaw Christmas parade will be Saturday morning at 11 a.m. following Friday night’s events.

The lighting event and other activities has everyone WNEM TV5 spoke with excited about the festival.

“Oh, it’s great,” said Dan Wall, a Carrollton resident. “Anything to draw people to the city I think is great.”

“I think it’s a neat idea to bring people downtown and to get involved and know that downtown Saginaw has really got things going on,” said Saginaw’s Karen Mendham.

This year’s fireworks show will get underway at 8:30 p.m. on Friday night from Ojibway Island, a half-hour earlier than last year.

WNEM TV5 is a sponsor of the Holidays in the Heart of the City event.

TV5’s Jocelyn Connell and Adrienne Broaddus will be the Emcees for the parade Saturday morning.

Read a list of scheduled activities here.