LMU celebrates holidays at annual tree lighting ceremony

Special to the Claiborne Progress

HARROGATE — Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and the City of Harrogate officially kicked off the holiday season with the annual LMU Tree Lighting and Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra (KSCO) concert on Thursday.

Despite cold, rainy weather throughout the day a crowd gathered in the Elizabeth D. Chinnock Chapel for the Tree Lighting program which included a performance by the Covenant United Methodist Church Bell Choir, Christmas carols, a Bible reading and an interpretation of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Dr. John Irvine, director of the Railsplitter Playmakers Dinner Theatre. After the program, the crowd moved outside to the LMU Quadrangle where the LMU tree was lit.

Santa Claus greeted the crowd as they moved to the Duke Hall of Citizenship for refreshments prior to the KSCO Concert. Children were given the opportunity to visit with Santa and received a special gift from his group of Santa’s Helpers. LMU-DeBusk College of Medicine (LMU-DCOM) students from the Pediatrics Club handed out jump ropes as early Christmas gifts to the children to encourage them to stay active. The KSCO Concert included traditional holiday classics and was sponsored by LMU, the City of Harrogate and Clayton Homes.

Above: Santa Claus greeted the crowd at the LMU Annual Tree Lighting, taking time to visit with Penelope Stout. (Photo submitted)