December 3, 2024 (Photo Album) - The downtown historic square in Center was full of Christmas cheer as a large crowd gathered for the first Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Opening the celebration was Chris Watlington, “Welcome to a first, there is no way of knowing how we’re supposed to do this because we’ve never done it before. But that Christmas tree has been several years in the works with a lot of folks working hard - it’s beautiful.” Watlington gave recognition to the Christmas Committee made up of community volunteers and special recognition to Doug Gay, the Committee Chairman. Their hard work made the downtown Tree Lighting ceremony happen along with additional decorations being added to the downtown square.
An invocation was brought by Malcolm Monroe, Pastor at First Methodist Church in Center. He gave thanks for the gift of the magnificant tree, thanks for the community who has come together for the celebration, and thanks for God's gift this Christmas season - the birth of Jesus.
Abundant Love Youth Choir
Music was then performed by Danny Paul Windham and a couple of the Packs of Strays (Sally Windham and Reese Monroe). Next to bring Christmas music to the tree lighting was the Abundant Love Youth Choir.
At 6pm, it was time for the grand event - the tree lighting and special guest Silver Bell Motley had the honor of pushing the button and lighting the tree after Santa did a countdown from 10.
Silver Bell Motley pressed the button to light the tree!
Sponsors who helped to make the tree lighting possible:
- Santa Sponsor - Farmers State Bank
- Jingle Bell Sponsors - HOPE Community Medicine; Shelby Savings Bank; Tomlin Insurance; Windham Family Dental; Candy Cane Sponsors; Center First UPC; General Shelters of Texas; Hallmark Fixtures Operation; HR Group; Shelby County Chamber of Commerce; and Specter, Inc.
- Bright Star Sponsor - Brock’s Rocks
- Nutcracker Sponsors - Bounds Insurance; Focused Care of Center; Center Glass (2 Sponsorships); Chadwick Family; Elliott & Waldron/Shelby County Title; Fairchild, Price, Haley & Smith, LLP; Focused Care of Center; Gatherings; Granny B’s Sno Cone; Ihlo Sales & Import; Island Breeze Daiquiris; JBA Financial Services; Johnstone Brokerage; Mettauer Law Firm; Morrison Insurance; Scull Timber; Tammy Steptoe Realty; Three Birds Photography; Toledo Finance; Town & Country Real Estate; Watlington, Shires & Pierce; and Wolfpack Industries
- Elf Sponsors - Action Team Realtors/Laura Rowe; Bites & Brew; Blake Furniture; Mr. and Mrs. James Camp; Chambliss Real Estate (2 Sponsorships); Law Office of April Prince; Lush Nail Spa; Masterson Insurance; Primp Salon; Sandy Cox – State Farm Insurance; Shelby County Farm Bureau – David Hailey; Susan Snider; and Timberwolf Lake Works
