Community Tree lighting is Friday
Published 12:34 pm Tuesday, November 17, 2015
- Several Fuqua School cheerleaders helped assemble the new Farmville Community Tree on Monday. Pictured are, from left, first row, Kaysi Ellett, Carrington Bailey, Morgan Lindsay, Tori Case, Mary Katherine Kendall, Kaitlyn Morgan, back row, Jimmy Johnson, Sally Thompson, Donald Hunter, David Whitus, Tori Dunn, Ally Hensley, Emmie Jefferson, Natalia Si, Sydney Stewart, Audra Murphy, Leslie Mau, Grace Mau, Chris Bolt and Gerald Spates. Bill Caldwell is standing in the tree above.
A joint project of the Town of Farmville, the Farmville Community Development and Marketing Committee and the Farmville Downtown Partnership has prepared the new Farmville community holiday tree for its inaugural lighting on Friday at 6 p.m.
On Monday, committee members, town employees and Fuqua School cheerleaders fluffed and raised the tree, which once stood in Longwood University’s Rotunda.
The tree now stands at Farmville’s High Bridge Plaza on North Main Street next to the newly relocated caboose, where the first-of-its-kind event will be held.
According to Town Manager Gerald Spates, the 30-foot tree was purchased from Longwood University
for $500.
“We’ve talked about a community … tree for years,” Spates said. “It brings everyone together.”
He said that the tree and events are good methods for local businesses to attract shoppers.
The event will include music from Perry Carrington and The Voices of Unity, and Mayor David Whitus will throw the switch, lighting the tree to kick off the holiday season.
“Our students love helping the community, so when the cheerleaders had the chance to help decorate Farmville’s Christmas tree they jumped at it,” said Fuqua’s Director of Communications and Special Events Linda Davis.
The Grinch will also be making an appearance at the event. Walker’s Diner and the High Bridge Kettle Corn Shop will provide hot chocolate and kettle corn for children.
