DOBBINS HEIGHTS — The light rain held off Tuesday evening as a small crowd gathered in front of town hall for the annual lighting of the municipal Christmas tree.
The 12-foot Carolina spruce from Western North Carolina was decorated with blue lights, as well as ornaments, ribbons and magnolia leaves in the town’s colors of blue, gold and silver.
Town Clerk and Mayor Pro Tem Tyre Holloway welcomed those gathered around the tree and said the season was a time to reflect and celebrate.
“We’ve got reasons to celebrate,” Holloway said. “The main reason we all know — Jesus is the reason for the season — but this is the reason for the season as well. We are a family…not blood related …some of us are, but…we are definitely a family.
“I’m grateful and I’m thankful for everyone out here …for everybody that’s trying to do good in this world and we need more people to work on that …but we can only get there together.”
After the lighting of the tree, Councilwoman Angeline David led the crowd in singing the first verse of “Joy to the World.”
Richmond County Hospice also held its Forever Tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday.
See the RO’s Facebook page for photos from lightings last week in Hamlet, Hoffman, Rockingham and Ellerbe, as well as other Christmas events.
Dobbins Heights welcomes back free sleigh rides from Gold Leaf Carriage, in addition to a toy drop and holiday meal, at the town park and community center on Dec. 23.
Before that, Santa will be at the Norman Stage on Dec. 20 from 4-7 p.m., where there will also be cookies, hot chocolate and cider, as well as small gifts for kids. They will also be collecting toys for children in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene.
The following day, the Derby Store will host its annual Derby Christmas, a tradition dating back more than a decade, at 6 p.m.
