Downtown Albert Lea will kick off the holiday season on Friday with several traditions from recent years, along with some fresh, new events the following week.

On Friday during the 2009 Heart of the City Holiday Stroll, downtown shoppers can get their first glimpse of holiday window displays at participating businesses and vote on their favorite. Ballots will be available at participating shops, and voting will go through Dec. 5.

Tami Staker, with the Downtown Association and Destination Albert Lea, said there are about 14 shops participating. Destination Albert Lea is giving out a $100 prize for the first place window, $75 for second place and $50 for third.

From 1 to 4 p.m., Santa will be wandering in and out of the downtown stores. He will be delivering wreaths — purchased from Addie’s Floral by the Downtown Association — for the doors of all the Downtown Association member businesses, Staker said. This is the first year this is taking place.

Then from 2 to 4 p.m., the Albert Lea High School Caroliers will sing in and outside of stores.

From 4 to 7 p.m., the Festival of Trees will be open in the Albert Lea Art Center. Open houses for the display will also be on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Holiday music will also begin playing at downtown intersections Friday.

“The Heart of the City Holiday Stroll is really a wonderful time to be in downtown Albert Lea,” Staker said. “The store decorations inside and out are both fun and beautiful. We always have some of the most unique and special gift items within our downtown shops — every single one of them has something great to offer.”

More new events will be the following Friday, Dec. 4, with caroling, the annual Christmas tree lighting and a holiday movie sponsored by Destination Albert Lea in conjunction with the Albert Lea Salvation Army.

Residents who want to participate in the caroling will be asked to meet at the Freeborn County