Downtown St. Joseph/file photo By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostDowntown St. Joseph kicks off the Christmas shopping season in a big way this weekend.Christy George with the Downtown St. Joseph Association says the Lighting Ceremony tonight at Coleman Hawkins Park will feature live music, even fireworks."We did fireworks last year and we had so much positive feedback from it that we definitely are bringing it back again this year," George tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Film maker Jason Hudson will be involved, saying downtown St. Joseph is an under-appreciated jewel."Fall in love with St. Joe," Hudson says. "We live in such beautiful, cute town. It's like Hallmark crafted a perfect city and we happen to live in it. It's called St. Joe."Hudson directed "Christmas at the Chateau," shot on location in St. Joseph. He says it now is seen all over the world.Hudson says everyone is invited to the lighting ceremony and all the Saturdays through December in downtown St. Joseph."Each year, kids come from all over, not just St. Joseph, but Kansas City, Maryville, Savannah, Gower; they're coming from all over the place," according to Hudson. "It's really fun. We're actually going to have great weather this weekend. So, people sing, the lighting ceremony, the fireworks. It really is made for families."Hudson says there is a special Winter Wonderland set erected for the season."We've got mountains. We've got Christmas trees. We've got lights. We'll even have elves there this year," Hudson says. "It's just a lot of fun. All the restaurants, the eateries; there's so much to do. And, I think a lot of people forget the wonderful food that's downtown."The lighting ceremony tonight begins with live music at 5:30. Carriage rides actually begin at five o'clock. There will be a Holiday Pop Up Market, special window displays by downtown merchants who will have specials for Small Business Saturday.Santa Claus and the Winter Princess will also be featured on Saturdays in downtown St. Joseph leading up to Christmas.