Gay Street dons its winter apparel as Santa, Haslam light downtown tree

Photo by Margaret B. Wood // Buy this photo

Grace Baptist Church Choir members sing holiday medleys at the 38-foot First Tennessee Foundation Tree during the Regal Celebration of Lights in downtown Knoxville on Friday.

Photo by Margaret B. Wood

Olivia Layman, 6, and her mother, Holly Layman, roast marshmallows in downtown Knoxville during the Regal Celebration of Lights in Friday, Nov. 26, 2010. The event featured the lighting of the 38-foot First Tennessee Foundation tree, free horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa and cookie decorating as well as live music and ice skating.

It was a perfect night to kick off Christmas in the City.

The air was chilly. People were cheerful, despite having to bundle up. Lots of them were wearing stocking caps, holiday-themed garb and jewelry.

Everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.

He was almost late. But just in the (Saint) Nick of time he arrived and was able to help Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam push a button lighting that big Christmas tree in Krutch Park Extension.

"I've been good all year," Haslam said to Santa.

"You've already got everything on your list," the jolly man said to Haslam, who was recently elected governor.

The button was pushed, and the 38-foot artificial tree was suddenly aglow with 5,000 lights. Then there were fireworks, and cheers and applause went up from hundreds of folks gathered around.

All told, there are more than 300,000 lights decorating downtown, according to city officials.

"This is my fifth time to do this, and it is one of my favorite things to do every year," said Alisha Lawrence.

She was with her husband, Chris Lawrence, their bundled-up 2-year-old son, Elijah, and Chris Lawrence's sister, Jennifer. All are from Corryton.

"It is just so beautiful here," Jennifer Lawrence said.

"We're probably going to hang around here for a while, and maybe take a carriage ride," said Chris Lawrence.

Singers and instrumentalists from Grace Baptist Church belted out a version of "Joy to the World."

As they did, 5-year-old Naomi Smith, atop her great-uncle's shoulders, waved her arms around, more or less in synch with the sound.

"She's having fun," said her great-uncle, Bobby Breeden of Seymour.

Breeden said that after the tree lighting, he, his wife Linda Breeden and Naomi would probably go to the Holidays on Ice skating rink on Market Square.

The 38-foot tree in Krutch Park was bought for the city by First Tennessee Bank. It might be the tallest tree in the city, but it will not be the highest.

The Up on the Rooftops event, where businesses, such as the bank, put lighted trees on roofs of their buildings, began in 1995 with just 11 trees.

More than 400 businesses agreed to participate in this year's Up on the Rooftops.

So now, there are trees on the roofs of buildings in the downtown area, along the river and across the city, all lit up for the festivities.

All of this is a part of the Regal Celebration of Lights that traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday season in Knoxville, which includes a wide array of activities throughout the community.

"We plan all year for these three weeks," Haslam said.

Jim Balloch may be reached at 865-342-6315.

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