Elizabethton’s iconic 14-foot holiday wreath hung on Covered Bridge
Published 11:32 am Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Assistant Fire Chief Andy Hardin works with another fireman in the attic of the Covered Bridge to get the hoist to lower so the wreath can be hung.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/A fireman hooks the end of the hoist that will be used to lift the wreath.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/Assistant Fire Chief Andy Hardin and Main Street Elizabethton Director Courtney Bean work to fluff the red bow on the wreath.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/The raft carrying the wreath is giving a final push.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/With the wreath loaded, a fireman and a member of the Carter County Rescue Squad paddle their way to where the wreath will be lifted to the bridge.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/With the power cord connected to the lights on the wreath and the hook firmly in place, the wreath begins its ascent to the side of the bridge.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/A fireman with the Elizabethton Fire Department guides the wreath into place against the bridge.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/With the wreath finally settled into place the two wreath hangers head back to the shore.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders/The final look of the wreath from the W. Elk Avenue Bridge.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
Another long-standing holiday tradition found its way onto the side of the Covered Bridge as a giant 14-foot, 100-pound holiday wreath, decked in green with red ribbons, was hoisted into place by the Elizabethton Fire Department with assistance from the Carter County Rescue Squad, which provided the raft.
According to Fire Chief Barry Carrier, the hanging of the wreath has occurred during the 30 years he has been with the department, and he estimated it has been hung for at least 50 years.
Main Street Elizabethton and its director, Courtney Bean, prepared the wreath by fluffing the ribbons and ensuring it was secured to its frame, with the lights snugly in place.
Some park visitors took time to watch the wreath being lifted to its place on the side of the bridge.
With the age of the wreath and the winch that lifts it into place, replacements for both will likely be needed in the near future. For now, the wreath remains in its place, where Carter County and city residents have come to expect it during the Christmas holiday.
