Hundreds Welcome the Holiday Season in Downtown Hendersonville

Let’s face it. Santa’s a pretty busy guy right now.

But Santa’s hectic schedule didn’t stop him from visiting Downtown Hendersonville on Friday night to help the city throw the lights on the 75-foot-tall tree outside the historic courthouse.

“All right, we’re going to light up the Christmas tree. Is everybody ready?” Santa asked the hundreds gathered outside the Historic Henderson County Courthouse.

“Yeah!” roared the crowd.

And with that, the lights came on, and Hendersonville welcomed the holiday season on a chilly night that had everyone bundled up in heavy jackets, gloves and scarves. It may have been cold, but everyone was feeling the Christmas spirit.

As the Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheatre’s YT Revolution sang “Here Comes Santa Claus,” Santa came rolling down Main Street in style, trading in his reindeer and sleigh for a horse-drawn carriage provided by Carolina Horse and Carriage. He got the rock star treatment as people both young and old stretched their necks to get a glimpse of the big guy as he made his way to the courthouse.

This year’s downtown lighting ceremony was a bit different as the city had lights strung on the giant courthouse tree. Randy Jones, executive director of Downtown Hendersonville Inc., said this is his first Christmas in Hendersonville, and he thanked everyone for making him feel so welcome. The tree lighting ceremony, he said, is a perfect example of what a special community this is.

“It has been so nice here, and this tree lighting is a true example of what this community is,” he said. “I’d like to thank the city of Hendersonville. They did the important thing. They paid for the lights, and trust me, a group of us screwed them all in. There are a lot of lights. I want to thank them not only for making our holiday brighter, but for their confidence in Downtown Hendersonville.”

The mayor welcomed everyone out on the chilly night. It may not have been snowing, she said, but the weather certainly put the Christmas spirit in the air.

“I want to welcome you to Downtown Hendersonville for our Christmas tree lighting kicking off our festive holiday season,” said Mayor Barbara Volk. “As you can tell we’ve already got the feel of the season in the air. We didn’t have any snow, but at least we’ve got the coolness here getting us ready for it.”

Entertainment was provided by the Carolina Concert Choir and its artistic director and conductor, Brad Gee. After singing five carols, Gee invited everyone to the choir’s concert on December 17 and 18 at St. James Episcopal Church. For ticket information, go to www.carolinaconcertchoir.org .The Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheater Rising Stars and YT Revolution with company manager Lauren Rogers also sang a few holiday favorites.

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