Each year the annual lighting of the Fraser Fir tree in downtown brings the community together, and this year it will honor some very important community heroes.
The Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Fraser Fir Tree Lighting on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting taking place at 6 p.m.
This year’s honorary lighters will be one representative from each of the community’s local emergency responders including the Elizabethton Police Department, Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Carter County Rescue Squad, Elizabethton Fire Department, Carter County Volunteer Firefighter Association and Carter County Emergency Management Agency.
“The decision was an easy one to make,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tonya Stevens. “The idea was tossed out and we knew it would be a nice way to say thank you to each of the areas emergency responders who help our City and County every day.”
In keeping with tradition, the tree lighting will also feature musical performances for the crowd. Music this year will be provided by the Elizabethton High School Chorale group and East Side Elementary’s Fifth Grade students.
Attendees can also look forward to a special tasty treat for the event as well.
“Sugar Love Bakery will be providing hot chocolate for the event,” Stevens said. “If it’s a cold night it will keep everyone warm.”
Each year, Stevens said, the Chamber tries to provide hot chocolate and cider to attendees. She added the Chamber is still searching for someone to provide cider for the event.
Members of the Washington County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia — the resident historical re-enactment troupe for Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park — will also be at the event and will perform a musket salute, Stevens said.
Stevens said she and other members of the Chamber of Commerce are looking forward to the event, and they aren’t the only ones. For many, the lighting of the tree marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Elizabethton.
“We have people who say they come home at this time of year for this event,” Stevens said. “It’s always a nice thing for the community to come together for.”