An annual tradition of lights scattered throughout Historic Downtown Elizabethton dates back to 1934 and continues to this day.
But keeping a mainstay takes time and effort. A busy 2016 holiday season was welcomed by the city, and now plans are underway to refurbish the lights.
Local businessman Joe Alexander, with the Alexander Insurance Agency and treasure for the Holiday Lighting Committee, is propelling the effort, along with a host of volunteers that make upthe group, to collect $20,000 in donations to address the lights donned across the light poles and the different ground fixtures throughout downtown.
Alexander credited Harvey Anderson with the ‘makeover’ for new lights back in 1998. Anderson, along with other volunteers, were able to raise $40,000 for the lights. The lights are currently maintained by Charles and Jerry Rotenberry of Twin City Decoration, who handle maintenance and storage for the lights for a cost of approximately $6,500.  With the proper equipment in place, the treasurer added the cost to refurbish the lights would be cheaper and added the current lights already durable – just in need of a makeover.
“We’re looking at approximately $20,000 to refurbished all the lights,” he said, including over 100 lights on the poles and the 12 ground fixtures.
The multi-pronged approached by the Committee included letters going out to various businesses, civic organizations and individuals to help with the sponsorships for the lights.
“We’ve gotten a good response so far, but we’re still a little ways off right now,” Alexander said.
Sponsorships will allow businesses and individuals to have a special way to be involved with the holidays. A light pole can be sponsored for $130 while a ground fixture can be sponsored for $750.
“We looked at buying new lights, but it would cost more to do that than to refurbish lights,” Alexander said. “The new lights would cost around $300, and we’re looking at roughly $130 to fix up the lights we have now. They’ve served a useful purpose; the $130 covers stripping, repainting, priming, wiring and having them rust resistance.”
Alexander said that sponsorships for ground fixtures would include a small sign feature beside ornament. The light pole sponsorships can include a possible sign or flag, he added.
And the refurbishment is receiving some help from the Elizabethton City Schools System.
During Thursday morning’s Downtown Business Association meeting, Alexander discussed the ‘Buy A Bulb’ program, where the school system is collecting $1 for each new bulb. Boxes are currently out at different locations with high foot traffic, Alexander said, including the County Clerk’s Office, Trustees Office and in various businesses including The Coffee Company, where individuals can donate any value that will go directly to the Committee.
“We appreciate all the support we’ve received so far,” he added, adding the Elizabethton Electric Department and City of Elizabethton as other entities that help with the endeavor.
The Committee is accepting any monetary donations to go along with potential sponsorships.
For more information, individuals can either call Alexander at his office at 543-2221 or stop by during regular business hours. Donations can also be mailed to: Holiday Lighting Fund, 612 East Elk Ave., Elizabethton, TN 37643.