Fraser fir lighting brings small sense of normalcy to community
Published 10:12 am Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/The Fraser fir in downtown Elizabethton glistens with Christmas lights after the annual tree lighting Saturday night.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Santa Claus gets close-up puppy love while posing with visitors Saturday night at Covered Bridge Park.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Families walk through the Covered Bridge after the Christmas lights were turned on Saturday night.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) performs after the Christmas tree lighting at Covered Bridge Park.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Crowd favorites like funnel cakes and popcorn were enjoyed throughout the evening during the annual Christmas tree lighting.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Students from Elizabethton High School's sociology class had the honor of blowing the horn to signal it was time to light the tree at Covered Bridge Park.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/The Happy Valley High School band performs the national anthem.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Andrew McKeehan, president of Carter County Bank, introduces Daniel Grindstaff and family before the tree lighting. Grindstaff's music has brought much attention to his hometown of Carter County.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Carter County Bank President Andrew McKeehan welcomes attendees to the Christmas tree lighting, sponsored by Carter County Bank.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/The East Side Elementary ECS School Choir was a hit during the Christmas tree lighting.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/The Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park provide caroling in colonial apparel for the evening's ceremony.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/A quartet of women with the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park sings traditional carols for attendees.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Jackets and blankets were must-haves for a chilly evening at the Christmas tree lighting.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/This family created a “human sandwich” in an effort to stay warm during the festivities.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/These playful kids had fun trying to pull this gentleman’s beard or grab his hat during the event at Covered Bridge Park.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/This youngster was in a festive mood, wearing a reindeer sweater and Santa hat Saturday evening.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Saturday night brought a sense of normalcy, if only briefly, for friends and families attending the downtown Christmas tree lighting.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent/Hot cocoa and coffee were needed to fight the chill Saturday night at Covered Bridge Park.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
A steady flow of traffic crossed over the Doe River Bridge on Saturday evening – a reminder of the changes left behind after Hurricane Helene.
However, that couldn’t take away from a few moments of normalcy brought to the community by Carter County Bank, the City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, the Elizabethton Chamber, and Tour Carter County Northeast Tennessee, as the annual Fraser fir tree lighting took place at Covered Bridge Park.
Many gathered at the park, where food trucks offered guests a variety of selections. Santa and Mrs. Claus delighted children and the young at heart, while the stage featured performances by various groups of carolers during the festive event.
Performers included the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, East Side Elementary ECS School Choir, Happy Valley High School Band, and BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ).
Members of Elizabethton High School’s sociology class, along with their teacher, Alex Campbell, had the honor of signaling for the light switch to be thrown. In addition to the Fraser fir, 10 other trees in the park – donated by Hawk Mountain Tree Farm and Garden Center in Boone, N.C. – were illuminated.
A special presentation on the history of the Fraser fir was delivered by five local students.
Carter County Bank President Andrew McKeehan also recognized award-winning local musician Daniel Grindstaff and his family during the ceremony.
