Community gathers for Simpsonville tree lighting ceremony

Hundreds view the lighting of the City of Simpsonville Christmas Tree at City Hall

Simpsonville, S.C. — In perfect weather on the front lawn of City Hall, Mayor Paul Shewmaker and Miss Teen Simpsonville Gracen Vaughn lit the City of Simpsonville Christmas Tree on Dec. 2, 2021.

Shewmaker and Vaughn led a gathered crowd in a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown before the 22-foot tall tree turned bright with lights just before 6:30 p.m. After the tree lighting, families and kids gathered around the City of Simpsonville Christmas Tree to stare in wonder and take selfies with the City's #SIMPLYBRIGHT sign.

Prior to the lighting of the City tree, Pastor A. A. Dicks Jr. of Mount Zion Church gave a beautiful invocation before reading from the Book of Luke, after which Steve Eager played the keyboard and led the hundreds of community members in attendance in a Christmas carol medley sing-along, which featured "Silent Night," "Jingle Bells," "Deck the Halls" and "White Christmas."

Kids also had a chance to write and mail letters to Santa Claus at the Letters to Santa table provided by Councilmember Sherry Roche of RE/MAX Results of Greenville, and free cookies and coco at Kaffeine Coffee Shop & Roastery were provided by Jordan Johnson of SERVUS Realty Group following the ceremony. Simpsonville Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell said the event went off without a hitch.

"People really enjoyed themselves at the 3rd Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony," Campbell said. "Seeing everyone's faces when the City of Simpsonville Christmas Tree was lit and watching the kids run up to the Tree was really special. We can't wait for the 4th Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony."

The City of Simpsonville would like to extend a special thanks to the following people for making the 3rd Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony possible:

• Simpsonville Public Works
• Simpsonville Parks & Recreation
• Pastor A. A. Dicks Jr.
• Steve Eager
• Councilmember Lou Hutchings
• Councilmember Sherry Roche
• Miss Teen Simpsonville Gracen Vaughn

Mayor Paul Shewmaker provides the welcoming at the 3rd Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony | City of Simpsonville

Pastor A. A. Dicks Jr. of Mount Zion Church reads from the Book of Luke at the 3rd Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony | City of Simpsonville

Kids write and drop off their letters to Santa Claus at the Letters to Santa table by Councilmember Sherry Roche of RE/MAX Results of Greenville | City of Simpsonville

Steve Eager plays the keyboard and leads the crowd in a Christmas carol medley sing-along before the lighting of the City Christmas Tree | City of Simpsonville

More than 100 people gathered at City Hall on Dec. 2, 2021 to witness the lighting of the City of Simpsonville Christmas Tree | City of Simpsonville

City of Simpsonville Christmas Tree | City of Simpsonville