Gainesboro Hosting Tree Lighting Thursday

Gainesboro will have its third annual tree lighting ceremony on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse Thursday.

Gainesboro-Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Hope Vargas said students from the local schools will be singing songs and reading poems as part of the ceremony. Vargas said the tree has been decorated by local families using their own ornaments to draw the community together.

“I think this is just one more way of us really trying to make it special and unique,” Vargas said. “And provide not only our residents but anyone who wants to come and visit a really unique experience and an opportunity to see who we are as a people and as a community.”

Vargas said getting people personally involved makes the whole experience more memorable for everyone who participates. Vargas said the winners of the town’s window display contest will be announced at the event as well.

The event begins at 5:30pm.

“Of course, we’ll also invite everyone to shop local and dine there downtown and really just try and support our local businesses as we’re heading into the holiday season,” Vargas said.

Vargas said the chamber chose to involve students in the program to encourage more families to participate. Vargas said the decision also provides kids with the chance to volunteer in community activities and practice being in front of crowds.

“It’s just really a nice time to gather together and to provide them that experience of giving back to their community and really trying to help embrace that communal Christmas holiday spirit,” Vargas said.

Vargas said the winners of the window display competition will be decided by a team of judges. Vargas said the winning group gets to share some sort of reward, likely a gift card as it was last year.

“It’s a really fun little addition and it’s made such a massive impact on our downtown square,” Vargas said. “The vacant properties, or maybe even a business owner who doesn’t really have the time to decorate themselves, they can allow someone else to come in and really do a beautiful display.”

Vargas said there will be a couple “special appearances” from secret guests to be revealed at the event.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Vargas said. “It’s always a good time but we’ll just see what happens.”