BLUEFIELD – Gates had yet to open, but the festive glow of Christmas lights drew vehicles filled with people off Stadium Drive and right up to Lotito Park for the annual Holiday of Lights.
David Carver of Lorton Lick Road and his family were in the first car waiting for the gates to officially open to the holiday lighting show.
“It’s been a tradition for us ever since they started it,” Carver said. “We try to see it on Thanksgiving and we try to see it come through again on Christmas.”
Each member of the family had a favorite among the colorful displays in Bluefield’s city park.
“Seeing the Grinch!” almost 9-year-old Eric replied when asked to choose his favorite.
Bethanie Carver, 6, had to think for a moment. She likes to see Santa.
“And Mickey Mouse!” she added.
First visitors also came from outside of Mercer County to see the annual light show. Some had even visited the Holiday of Lights before the official opening.
“We came out and walked through the lights, watched people working on it and watched it grow to this point tonight,” said Joe Johnson of North Tazewell, Va. “We think it’s pretty neat. It’s like a small version of Bristol, Va.”
Students, civic groups and organizations, and Bluefield High School students are among the more than 75 volunteers who helped make this year’s displays possible.
BHS Student Body President Burt Kersey said groups ranging from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the football team and student government spent days helping to get the Holiday of Lights ready.
“It was a combustion of the whole school,” Kersey said before the opening.
Kersey and David Hancock of the Bluefield Recreation Department estimated that city employees and volunteers replaced approximately 50,000 of the show’s 500,000 lights. Many of the lights, some burned out, had faded and needed replacing after years of use, Hancock said.
When the lights were tested Wednesday, the public started to arrive, Hancock recalled.
“We tried the lights last night and people started coming and walking through there,” he said.
This year visitors will see new displays including the illumination of the Yakkity Yak Playground and a “Night in Bethlehem” hand-on Holy Land sponsored by the Bluefield Community Church. “Night in Bethlehem” will be hosted Friday, Dec. 18 and Saturday, Dec. 19 near the entrance of the Holiday of Lights.
The Holiday of Lights will be open daily Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., and from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Starting this year, the Holiday of Lights is being expanded to feature the first City of Lights contest, which is open to all residents and businesses in Bluefield.
The City of Lights contest is sponsored by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, GoodyKoontz Drug Store and WVVA TV-6.
The contest is being conducted to find the city’s best holiday decorations in both the residential and commercial categories. Prizes — $500 for first place, $250 for second and $100 for third — will be awarded in both categories.
City Manager Andrew Merriman said the contest deadline has been extended to Monday, Nov. 30, to ensure the maximum number of participants.
Merriman said anyone wishing to enter in the City of Lights contest can call city hall at (304)-327-2464, or e-mail their entry to cityofbluefield.com.
The contest will be judged via ballots that will be placed in the Daily Telegraph later this month.
Local News
November 26, 2009
Park shines bright as Holiday of Lights display ushers in season
- Local News
-
- AFTERNOON UPDATE: Snow expected tonight in two Virginias
- AFTERNOON UPDATE: Va. Tech president dismissed from shootings lawsuit
- MORNING UPDATE: Winter storm takes aim at region, accumulating snowfall possible this evening
- Princeton municipal building ordinance: Officials OK first reading
-
Tazewell Sheriff’s Office receives funds for new sidearms
- Hopeful players flock to stores as Powerball winnings hit $310 million
- Officials: Truancy program keeping more students in Mercer schools
- Mercer County man collects $50,000 in W.Va. lotteries Joker Mania
- Princeton Building Commission takes first steps toward new municipal building
-
Tazewell Sheriff's Department receives donation to purchase firearms
- More Local News Headlines
