Final preparations made for tonight’s Fraser Fir lighting
Published 6:10 am Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye
FCE Club member Linda Owens attaches a red bow to one of the large Christmas wreaths that will adorn the windows at the UT Exension Office.
Members of the Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs were busy Monday morning putting the final touches on holiday decorations at the UT Extension Office in preparation for tonight’s lighting of the Fraser Fir tree.
The UT Extension Office makes its home in the historic Folsom House and the large Fraser Fir out front has served as the community Christmas tree for many, many years.
On Monday, members of the FCE Clubs, which are sponsored through the Extension Office, decorated Christmas wreaths to hang on the windows of the building. Club members also assisted Extension Office staff with other decorations as well.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye
FCE Club Member Pauline Neeley hangs a Christmas wreath at the UT Extension Office.
At the tree lighting tonight, members of the county’s 4-H Clubs will take part in the lighting ceremony, Extension Office Director Vickie Clark said.
“They are going to do a community candle lighting,” Clark said.
The Extension Office and the students had hoped to use real candles for the event but with the dry weather and recent wildfires and after speaking with the local fire marshal the decision was made to use electric candles instead.
The students will speak about the importance of sharing the light throughout the community and the world, Clark said.
The Elizabethton/Carter county Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting the annual tree lighting event, which will take place this evening. Festivities will begin at 5:15 p.m. and the lighting will take 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.
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 as Sugar Love Bakery will be providing hot chocolate for the event.
For more information on the Fraser Fir Lighting, contact the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce at 423-547-3850.
