Christmas season kicks off in Roan Mountain with annual tree lighting
Published 3:34 pm Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Onlookers check out the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree after the lighting ceremony held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Carter County Bank Assistant Vice President/Roan Mountain Branch Manager Brian Tipton presents Mike Dyer with the Roan Mountain Citizens Club recognition as this year's Community Christmas Tree Lighter during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Tom Niziol of the Roan Mountain Citizens Club emcees the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Steve Rehmar and other members of the Roan Mountain Citizens Club serve up hot chocolate and cookies during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent A festive stage, decorated by Cindy Rehmar and Sheena Jenkins, awaits performers at the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Santa and Mrs. Claus greet a child during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Santa and Mrs. Claus take time out of their busy schedule to visit with children during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Lilly Legate, 11, tells Santa Claus what she would like for Christrmas during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Adeline Gilreath, a member of the Cloudland High School band, plays along as the band performs during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Wil Kerley, Roan Mountain’s First Baptist Church youth pastor, plays the guitar as the church’s children’s choir sings during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent The Cloudland High School Band, under the direction of Timothy Guinn, performs during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent/Theodore Dyer, who’s almost 2, explores the stage lighting during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
Buzz Trexler/Star Correspondent Tristan Honeycutt, 5, and Santa Claus pause during their private discussion during the Roan Mountain Community Christmas Tree Lighting held Monday, Nov. 20.
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By Buzz Trexler
Star Correspondent
ROAN MOUNTAIN – About 150 people braved a chilly Monday night at Erik Anderson Community Park for hot chocolate, cookies, the sounds of the season, and the lighting of the Christmas tree.
The annual event, sponsored by the Roan Mountain Citizens Club and Carter County Bank, included performances by the Cloudland High School Band, Urban Grace Dance Ministry, and First Baptist Church’s children’s choir.
Roan Mountain Citizens Club President Brian Tipton presented Mike Dyer with special recognition from the club and community and was given the honor of lighting the tree. Dyer was nominated by members of the community and selected by a committee to throw the switch this year. In announcing the recognition, emcee and club member Tom Niziol said Dyer was one of the founders of the park (along with Erik Anderson), is a member of the Roan Mountain Recreation Foundation board of directors, and is very active with Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church.
The club served up free hot chocolate and cookies, and Cindy Rehmar and Sheena Jenkins decorated the stage.
The Roan Mountain Citizens Club was formed in 1946. In addition to the Christmas tree lighting, the club sponsors the Rhododendron Festival and the Fall-O-Dendron Festival. “The money we raise from the festivals is put right back into the community,” Tipton said, through donations to the Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the schools, and through beautification projects and other endeavors.
