Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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I M A Fort Bragg Tree Lighting Welcomes the Holiday Season by ERINN CRIDER HOME GAME Call FireAntz office for more information. Puck Drops at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 1st vs. Huntsville Havoc 910.321.0123 TICKETS Adults $12 - $25 Children always $5 Tickets available at the Crown Center Box Office www.fireantzhockey.com The 2011 Fort Bragg Family of the Year assist in the lighting of the Christmas tree during the annual Fort Bragg Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Main Post Parade Field December 1, 2011. Photo courtesy of www.army.mil Fort Bragg tree-lighting ceremony — a tradition many look forward to each year. The tradition of lighting Christmas trees has been around since the 18th century when people would place candles in the Christmas trees. It was a custom usually reserved for wealthier families. Since then, the tradition has become much more affordable, colorful — and safer — with open fl ames no longer placed in trees. Most families that celebrate Christmas in the United States decorate a tree with lights. While each has their own traditions when it comes to actually bedecking their tree, Christmas trees have always been a source of bonding. Communities also bond around a festive Christmas tree. Every December Fort Bragg kicks off the holiday season with this fun and family friendly event. The Christmas tree lighting combines all the fun of a festival, with all the community bonding and celebration of a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony. It is estimated that more than 7,000 soldiers will be present for the event, but families and the public are also welcome to attend the festivities. On Dec. 6, the Fort Bragg Main Post Parade fi eld will be lit up. It is the annual around a staggering 35 feet. It takes more than 6,000 lights to make this giant shine, but it is truly an amazing sight to behold and a true expression of Christmas spirit. The event takes place at the Fort Bragg Parade Field on Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact MWR at 396-9126. Writer, COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. ERINN CRIDER, Contributing 8 UCW NOV 28 - DEC 4, 2012 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Christmas spirit has no limit and is available for all to enjoy. The lighting of the Christmas tree is not a religious affair, it is a community affair. People of all belief systems can appreciate the beauty of a giant glimmering tree while being surrounded by their colleagues, friends and family. Chief Special Events Coordinator at Fort Bragg, Rhett Stroupe looks forward to the tree lighting each year. It is a chance to bring people together, but more importantly he enjoys watching them have a good time. "We are kicking off the holiday season. It is a fun family event — the kids get to come out and meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus and we have the kids corner for them, too." For many nothing says winter celebration more than a warm cup of hot chocolate on a chilly night. Add in a visit from Santa Claus and the Christmas Spirit practically oozes from people attending the event. Light refreshments are not all the event has to offer, however. Children in particular will have a lot to enjoy. There will be bouncy houses and a climbing wall for the kids, which may come in handy to burn off some of the energy from cookies and hot chocolate. There will also be various groups singing traditional carols to keep the holiday spirit alive and well. "There will be entertainment by the Bowley Bobcat Singers, which is always enjoyable," said Stroupe. "and of course, the highlight of the evening is the lighting of the tree, which is going to be at approximately 5:50 p.m." The tree is not something that any ordinary house could contain. It will stand at ! t F n u e n , m A n i f a t o f r e d r t n a E e l b Y L F ,