Bringing Christmas to Selma isn’t easy. Historic Preservation and Revitalization Coordinator Patty Sexton and the city’s Public Works Department can attest to that.

Tuesday morning, the holiday spirit was spread throughout the downtown area via a bucket truck. What appeared to be the simple hanging of 26 wreaths on power poles was much more, Sexton said. The wreaths, she said, weigh almost 300 pounds each and the ribbons are almost 3-feet wide.

“There is a lot that goes into it,” she said. “Christmas in Selma doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of hard work from a lot of people.”

The decorations, Sexton said, are the combined efforts of city government, public works, Shebra Kidd and the Downtown Selma Association and several other partners.

“We have a one of a kind manger scene in front of the library complex and a lot of that is maintained by the Senior Ceramics Program,” she said. “All of it together takes about four weeks starting in late October.”

With the decorations up, Sexton said the city is moving on to the rest of its holiday lineup.

One week from Saturday will mark another big holiday celebration.

First, she said, the city will hold its annual parade followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of Selma City Hall at 4:30 p.m.