Daily Journal file photo
Laine and Hunter Floyd, above, take a selfie with their two boys Lennon, 15 months and Jackson, 4, at the tree lighting ceremony in 2019. Left, an attendee captures the tree on her phone, and below, the crowd was entertained by the L.J. Bell Elementary School Choir under the direction of Kacey Matheson.
ROCKINGHAM — The City of Rockingham on Thursday announced that the traditional tree lighting ceremony on Cole Plaza has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
Kim Williams, the city’s events coordinator, said in a statement that the cancellation is part of the city’s effort to slow the spread of the virus. The ceremony typically attracts hundreds of people who gather to sing Christmas carols and watch as the biggest Christmas tree in town is lit for the first time of the holiday season.
The tree and downtown decorations will be lit on Wednesday, Nov. 25, according to Williams. Williams told the Daily Journal that there will not be alternative public aspect of this lighting, such as a livestream or a drive-in viewing.
“We hope you all stay safe and healthy this holiday season,” Williams said.
This is the latest of the local holiday events to be cancelled. Hamlet cancelled their annual Christmas parade in October.