Annual Christmas tree lighting draws crowds
Published 3:20 pm Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Ballerinas from the Carol Merrill Academy of Dance perform for the community at the city of Meridian’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Tuesday at City Hall. Photo by Thomas Howard
Khyla Eichelberger, Kennedy Brown and Aubrey Jones take a photo with Santa Claus outside City Hall Tuesday before the start of the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Photo by Thomas Howard
Meridian residents celebrated the holidays Tuesday as the city of Meridian held its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at City Hall. Photo by Thomas Howard
Community Development Director Craig Hitt welcomes residents to the city of Meridian's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Tuesday at City Hall. Photo by Thomas Howard
Dancers from The Carol Merrill Academy of Dance perform to Christmas music Tuesday at the city of Meridian's Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Meridian residents didn’t let cold temperatures keep them from celebrating the holiday season Tuesday as the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony drew crowds to City Hall. The annual event includes caroling, ballet performances and concludes with the lighting of the 30-foot-tall tree on City Hall lawn.
Community Development Director Craig Hitt said this year’s tree lighting features some new holiday decorations around City Hall, Dumont Plaza and at Union Station that will provide good photo opportunities for residents and spread festive cheer.
“There are going to be some great opportunities for pictures tonight or maybe on a sunny day when it’s a little warmer for you, but we hope that you will come back to City Hall, to Dumont Plaza, and I hope that you will also visit Union Station where we have some new decorations down there as well,” he said.
Tuesday’s event also saw the return of ballerinas from the Carol Merrill Academy of Dance who gave residents a special holiday performance ahead of the tree lighting. Merrill, who owns and operates the academy, thanked the community for allowing her students to perform again this year.
“The CMA performance companies are very honored to be back another year to take part in the fabulous city of Meridian Christmas Tree lighting ceremony,” she said.
Although events and decorations fall under Community Development’s purview, Hitt said he wants to thank the many other city departments and workers who had a hand in preparing downtown Meridian for the holiday season. Tuesday’s tree lighting, he said, was made possible due to the combined efforts of Public Works, Meridian Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, the mayor’s office, the City Council, which appropriated funds for the new decorations, and more.
City Councilman Joe Norwood Jr. echoed Hitt’s thanks as he welcomed the community to the tree lighting event. Meridian Police Department also deserves thanks, he said, for providing security for the event.
“Again, we’d like to thank you all for coming out and hope you enjoy,” he said.
