Jingle bells and Santa’s elves. All of the colorful cast of Christmas characters will be in complete sight for residents in the evening hours over the next couple of months.
Employees from Twin City Decorating, based out of Bristol, Tenn., were busy in Historic Downtown Elizabethton Tuesday evening putting the final touches on Christmas lights.
Local businessman Joe Alexander and other members of the Holiday Lighting Committee have been able to utilize the resources provided by Charles and Jerry Rotenberry, along with other staff from the business.
“They’ve been involved with it since the start,” Alexander told the Elizabethton Star. “We’ve purchased lights through them and they have been amazing to work with each year. If there’s any issues, they’re just a phone call away. You couldn’t ask for a better group. They’re also involved with a lot of other lighting projects across the region.”
Christmas lights spread throughout downtown have been a holiday tradition for the community. To continue the trend for the years ahead, the Holiday Lighting Committee is continuing their goal of refurbishing each of the lights — which assist with cost-effectiveness and longevity of the fixtures, according to Alexander.
So far, the committee has raised between $17,000 to $17,500 from the general public, City of Elizabethton and Elizabethton Electric. The overall goal for complete refurbishment is between $21,000 to $23,000.
The project started last year as the committee looked at ways to honor Harvey Anderson, a former Holiday Lighting Committee member who helped spearhead the “makeover” of the downtown Christmas lights in 1998.
Businesses, organizations or individuals wanting to sponsor a light pole ornament can do so for $130 while a ground fixture can be sponsored for $750. All proceeds raised from the drive goes to the refurbishment of the lights.
Alexander added the sponsorship will include a special sign at each fixture to recognize each donor.
Residents can also “Buy a Bulb” at different locations. Citizens can donate $1 in boxes located at the County Clerk’s Office, Trustees Office, City Hall, Big John’s Closeouts, J’s Corner, the Coffee Company, Alexander Insurance Agency and City Market.
“We want to stay thanks to everyone that has helped, from the City of Elizabethton, Elizabethton Electric to everyone that has made a donation,” Alexander said.
For more information, individuals can either call Alexander at his office at (423) 543-2221 or stop by regular business hours at Alexander Insurance Agency. Donations can also be mailed to: Holiday Lighting Fund, 612 East Elk Ave., Elizabethton, TN 37643.