Clear skies and reasonable warm temperatures Friday evening resulted in one of the largest crowds to ever attend a Light Up Downtown event in North Wilkesboro, organizers said.
The event, which began at 5:30 p.m., was officially kicked off around 6 p.m. when 2015 Little Miss Princess Harley Beth Hill and Roy Michael Smith, grandson of the late District Attorney Randy Lyon, pushed a button and turned on the town’s Christmas lights. That took place at the main stage on Ninth Street.
This was the 20th rendition of Light Up Downtown, a Wilkes County tradition that ushers in the holiday season.
North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson and Town Manager Larry South were particularly in the holiday spirit as they dressed up like Santa’s elves. Johnson said South accepted his challenge to wear the costumes, which were loaned to him by Linda Broyhill.
Johnson, who has been involved with just about all of the Light Up Downtown celebrations, said this was the largest crowd he could remember. Thousands of people were in town for the celebration, which lasted until 9 p.m.
“It was a beautiful evening,” Johnson said. He speculated that a larger number of vendors this year, along with a new live nativity scene—complete with a camel, a donkey, sheep and goats—also had an impact on the number of folks in attendance. The nativity scene was at Apple Festival Park at the intersection of Main and 10th streets.
“People were joyous, happy and cheerful,” Johnson said. “We have so much to be thankful for in this life.”
The mayor said he is especially appreciative for the town’s employees and fire department members who worked hard to get the Christmas lights ready in time for the Light Up event. He also was complimentary of Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership Director Crystal Keener, who planned and organized the celebration.
Ms. Keener said she also was pleased with the turnout. “It was a big success,” she said. “This is a good tradition.”
She said she noted that many of the downtown’s businesses were full of patrons well into the evening, which is one of the intents of the Light Up event.
Arlene and Friends/Melody Square Shops won the annual Christmas decoration contest for downtown businesses, Ms. Keener said. She noted that the entire front of Melody Square was full of decorations.
A panel of three DNWP board members judged the entries.
The evening’s activities opened with a performance by the North Wilkes High School marching band, which marched down Main Street, circled around and came up behind the main stage on Ninth Street.
Little Mountain Railroad, new to the event, provided train rides on Main Street for children. Stationed near Melody Square, parents and children were lined up to take their turn.
Throughout the night, The Blue Ridge Tractor Company again offered free hayrides.
Performances by handbell choirs on Main Street and inside Melody Square attracted crowds, as did carolers, cloggers and dancers at the main stage.
Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society musicians performed on 10th Street during the event. Musicians CJ Ballard and Ben Barker performed at the Ninth Street stage, along with Tonya’s Academy of Dance, Studio 68 and Foothill Cloggers.
The Cub Creek Handbell choir performed on Main Street and the Wilkesboro United Methodist Church Handbell Choir was at Melody Square.
A variety of food and craft vendors lined Main Street during the event.
Wilkes Art Gallery hosted the Reindeer Village, a holiday crafts venue where children made reindeer antlers and wrote letters to Santa. In addition, Santa Claus made a visit to Melody Square.
Sponsors of Light Up Downtown included the Town of North Wilkesboro, Stone Photography, Hallmark/Quick Frame, SVLP Inc., Wilkes Steel Inc., Best Image Signs, Page Interworks and Vannoy, Colvard Triplett and Vannoy.
