Jessamine County holds Christmas tree lighting on courthouse lawn

 

By Glenn McGlothlin and Brittany Fuller

glenn.mcglothlin@gmail.com
brittany.fuller@jessaminejournal.com

Jessamine County celebrated the annual lighting of its Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn Friday where Jessamine County Judge-Executive David West welcomed those who had gathered before introducing Ronda May of the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce.

May was there to announce the winners of the Christmas card competition and said the competition was done in conjunction with the Jessamine County Arts Department.

Three winners were announced, Chloe Sime from Wilmore Elementary School, Katy Barkley from East Jessamine Middle School and Logan Cornett from East Jessamine High School.

May said the pictures each student created will be used for the Christmas cards the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce sends out this year, and their names will appear on the back of their corresponding card.

Father Justin Patterson of St. Athanasius Orthodox Church shared the Christmas story before Kelly Little of the Jessamine County Public Library read from Caralyn Buehner’s book “Snowmen at Christmas.”

The program also included a performance by the Jessamine County Community Children’s Choir led by Amy Harrod.

“The Jessamine Community Children’s Choir is a brand new choir to the community which is part of our after school Arts+ program that allows students additional arts opportunities outside of the regular school day,” Harrod said. “The choir consists of  elementary and middle school students as well as homeschool students from all of our Jessamine County schools. The tree lighting was our very first performance with our winter concert coming on Monday. We were so excited and happy to be a part of the Christmas tree lighting and hope that we can do it for many more years to come.”

The choir, which is made up of children kindergarten through sixth-grade, sang several Christmas favorites including “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells.”

The evening concluded with a countdown, the lighting of the Christmas tree and arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Clause.

After the tree was lit, families gathered in the courthouse for light refreshments and a photo opportunity with Santa.