Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Members of the Friends of Sycamore Shoals are seen handing out warm apple cider to attendees of the 32nd annual lighting of the giant Fraser fir on E. Elk Avenue.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Several hundred members of the Elizabethton/Carter County community and surrounding areas await the start of the 32nd annual lighting of the giant Fraser fir tree at the Folsom House ceremony Saturday evening.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Members of the Sycamore Shoals Carolers, dressed in Colonial period costumes, perform at the start of the 32nd annual lighting of the giant Fraser fir tree at the Folsom House ceremony Saturday evening.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders A group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders from Harold McCormick's choir sing Christmas carols during the 32nd annual lighting of the giant Fraser fir tree at the Folsom House ceremony Saturday evening.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders A teacher (foreground) leads a group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders from Harold McCormick’s choir singing Christmas carols during the 32nd annual lighting of the giant Fraser fir tree at the Folsom House ceremony Saturday evening.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Each year, during the lighting ceremony of the Folsom fir, a brief history of how the tree came to be planted in Elizabethton is recounted to the crowd. This year the honor of telling its history fell to Hadley Vines.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Just prior to the actual lighting of the tree, the Bowers Family and Friends hit the stage to sing several wonderful Christmas carols.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Each year there is a tradition honoring a member, group or family of the community by their lighting the tree. This year, Dr. Danny Smith’s family was chosen to honor “Dr.D,” who passed away in April of this year. Dr. Danny was a fixture on the Elizabethton High School sports sidelines for 40-plus years helping not only any Cyclone recover from their injuries, but many others in our area. A tradition now carried on by his son, Dr. Justin Smith. Pictured from left are: Tracey Smith Collake (daughter), Holsten Smith (grandson), Kathy Smith (wife), Dr. Justin Smith (son), Kerry Smith (daughter-in-law), and standing in front, Knox Collake (grandson).

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders With the crowd counting down from ten, young Master Knox Collake (center right) and his cousin Holsten Smith (far right) prepare to sound the train whistle signaling the actual lighting of the giant Fraser fir tree at the Folsom House during the 32nd annual ceremony Saturday evening.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders With the sounding of the train whistle, the lights of the nearly 80-foot-tall giant Fraser fir tree at the Folsom House ignite, while the sunset fades in the west, to the oohs and aahs of the hundreds of attendees of the 32nd annual event.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders This past Saturday evening, the lights of the nearly 80-foot-tall giant Fraser fir tree at the Folsom House join the already lit sign on Lynn Mountain, wishing a very Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.