SEEN IN KINGSPORT Downtown
Kingsport Christmas Tree Lighting PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY DYLAN SHOCKLEY
O
n Saturday, December 7th, 2013, Downtown Kingsport welcomed the public to celebrate their annual Christmas Tree lighting. Many folks around the region came out to enjoy all the festivities that took place on this cold December night. The Christmas Tree lighting event was packed full of many different things to do, from free horse carriage rides, to looking at all the gingerbread houses that people made, and finally enjoying a hot cup of cider and counting down the lighting of the tree. Many folks who came out also enjoyed the Ugly Sweater Contest, as well as hearing the phenomenal Dobyns Bennett Band play. Although it was a cold night, the downtown area was packed with folks from the community getting into the holiday spirit! For more information on the downtown area please visit http://downtownkingsport.org.
Cristi Fleming, Sarah McFalls, and Katelyn Fleming
Amanda Calhoun and Andi Owen
John Barber and Sherri Mosley
Cattnenia Gurden, Carleigh Gurden, Heather Watson, and Jaxsen Maye
Laurel Russell, Presley Bacon, and Michelle Bacon
Julie Raines, Caylor Harrison, and Erin Leonard
LampLight Theatre
Katie Bates and Daniel Bates
SEEN IN BRISTOL Cumberland Square Park
Jamey Rector and Gail Childress
Tim and Allison Buchanan
Kate Milbourne and Brooke Roberts
Mike and Brenda Greene
The Arnolds
Chris Hall and Michelle Dolan (Bristol TN City Mayor)
PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY APRIL TAYLOR
F
or 33 Years now the Bristol Community has celebrated the Community Christmas Tree Lighting in Cumberland Square Park. The tree was planted there and was only 6ft tall in the very beginning. Nancy Marny, local resident, started this tradition many years ago. She was later joined by the Walling Family and for over 25 years together they organized this wonderful tradition. After both families retired it was only fitting that BVU was asked to step in and Sponsor the event each year. For the 8th year BVU technicians decorated the 45-foot Norwegian Spruce. It takes thousands of lightsabout $18,000 dollars worth. A huge crowd gathered around the tree on December 2nd, singing Christmas Carols, enjoying apple Cider and Hot Chocolate. Music was provided by John S. Battle Marching Band, VHS Band and TCCS Choirs and others.
32 | VIPSEEN | JANUARY 2014
Steve Duckett and Lisa Martin
Nancy Marny and April Taylor
Wayne and Sharon Williams, and Charles and Linda Kelley
Leslie McReynolds, Jean McReynolds and Ed McReynolds