Historic Blountville Christmas Festivities, Dec. 7-9, 2017
“One Special Town… Two Special Trees”
Historic Blountville Christmas Tree Lighting, 6 PM, Thurs., Dec. 7
Blountville Ruritan Christmas Parade, 2 PM, Sat., Dec. 9
Want to ring in the Christmas Season with family and friends? Do you have a special someone you would like to remember at Christmas? How about an old-fashioned Christmas Parade right here in the heart of Sullivan County? Historic Blountville is the place to be!
TRADITIONAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, 6 PM, THURS., DEC. 7
This year’s festivities will begin with the traditional Historic Blountville Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in front of the old Sullivan County Courthouse at 6 PM on Thurs., Dec. 7, 2017. Chris McIntosh of WJHL will preside as Master of Ceremonies, and special guests include Rep. Bud Hulsey, District Attorney General Barry Staubus, along with Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable who will do the honor of lighting the town Christmas tree, a massive thirty-foot blue spruce that adorns the front lawn of the historic courthouse. Christmas carols and other special holiday music will be brought by the Blountville Middle School Choir under the direction of Darren Malcolm. A special rendition of “Silent Night” will be presented by Assistant District Attorney Emily Hutchins on violin along with Carolyn Barry on flute.
Continuing last year’s theme of “One Special Town… Two Special Trees”, the ceremony will include the traditional tree lighting of the beautiful 30-foot Douglas fir in front of the courthouse, and a second tree lighting by the Hope for Victims Support and Advocacy Group in remembrance of victims of violence. Area residents are encouraged to participate by bringing an ornament in honor of family members lost to violence. Victims Remembrance Tree Organizer Joan Berry said, “It is in remembrance of everyone that has lost a loved one to homicide. Holidays can be extremely sad for families who have lost a loved one to violent crime. The remembrance tree gives families from East Tennessee the opportunity to do something special for their loved ones.”
Food vendors will be offering hot chocolate and a variety of other items including hamburgers, hot dogs, barbeque, funnel cakes, deep fried oreos, nachos, chili cheese fries and other.
But wait, there’s more! …
TOURS OF THE OLD DEERY INN, 1-4 PM, SAT., DEC. 9
The Old Deery Inn and Museum will be open from 1 PM to 4 PM on Sat., Dec. 9. The historic inn will showcase its own 1800s Christmas tree and period Christmas decorations. Docents in period attire will be on hand to lead the tours. Such an exciting way to ring in the holidays with your entire family!
BLOUNTVILLE RURITAN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE, 2 PM, SAT., DEC. 9
Nothing says it better than a parade! Join us at 2 PM for the Blountville Ruritan Annual Christmas Parade on the main thoroughfare through Blountville. The parade route will line up at Keystone Drive, and proceed on Great Stage Road, ending at the Sullivan County Courthouse. Those wishing to participate in the parade should line up at Keystone Drive at 1 PM. Participants are asked to have a Christmas theme on floats or vehicles. There is no registration fee, and anyone may participate.
The Historic Blountville Christmas festivities are sponsored by the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism, the partnership of First Judicial District Attorney General’s office and the local chapter of the Hope for Victims Support and Advocacy Group, and the Blountville Ruritan.
