Troy officials finalize plans for tree lighting

With about a month until Christmas, Troy City Council finalized the municipality’s holiday celebration plans during a Nov. 12 meeting.

Although they worked to maintain as many traditions as possible, councilors made a few adjustments to hold the gathering amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As in years past, the city will host a tree lighting celebration. This holiday season, however, the lighting will be a drive-thru event. On Nov. 28 at roughly 5:30 p.m., attendees following a set of one-way signs will be treated to choir music, goodie bags and cider.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present at the lighting event. After reviewing the city's celebration plans, Dustin Webb, Lincoln County environmental health specialist, said children should not be allowed to approach the Clauses.

Children may drop off letters they have drafted to Santa in a special mailbox at the event.

Troy Mayor Dallas Carr said this year he nominated Myrtle Anderson to light the tree.

To supplement the standard lights the city will use to decorate the tree, Chuck Ekstedt, councilor, said he intended to string up special lights that would flash along to Christmas music. Even after the lighting, Ekstedt said he would like to keep the music playing throughout the season.

“Well it’s a different year… why can’t we do it a little different,” said Carr.

Troy already gave up one of its most cherished traditions in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. In late spring, members of the Troy Chamber of Commerce opted against holding the annual Fourth of July celebration, which brings several thousand people to the small mountain community each year. They cited public health as well as uncertainty about the future as their reasons for shelving the annual event.

In practical terms, officials did not know how they would store fireworks were the celebration cancelled owing to the spread of the virus or additional pandemic restrictions.

Preceding this year’s tree lighting, the city will host a Christmas parade down U.S. Highway 2. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at the Troy Museum, proceed to Troy High School and then will return to the museum. Councilors said the parade will bring the Clauses to the tree lighting event.

In hopes of spreading Christmas cheer within schools, councilors discussed a plan to hold a tree-decorating contest for Troy Elementary School students. Each class will get the chance to decorate one of 13 spruce trees along the walking path adjoining Haul Road. The winning class will receive a pizza party or a similar reward.

“Maybe it’ll help get the kids’ minds off stuff, get them a little bit into Christmas, give them something to do,” said Carr.