Tree-Lighting Ceremony Set for Sunday, Dec. 3 in Downtown Cookeville

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Community spirit, Santa and a nearly 40-foot-tall Christmas tree will come together beginning 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 for the City of Cookeville’s third annual Christmas in the Park Tree-Lighting Ceremony at Dogwood Park.

Santa will “flip the switch” to light a tree erected over the fountain. A Christmas celebration service, with caroling by several school, community and church groups, will follow.

Festivities conclude with a 15-minute Christmas tree lightshow synchronized to music, along with fireworks. (The lightshow will repeat every hour on the hour from 5-9 p.m. through Jan. 1.)

The tree-lighting ceremony is part of the city’s month-long Christmas in the Park celebration, which will also include a Santa House and Polar Play Zone.

The jolly guy and his elves will be in the little red Santa House, just off the path leading to the Christmas tree, for free photo opportunities 1-4 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 16-17 and 4-7 p.m. Dec. 18. Patrons are invited to bring a camera.

Polar Play Zone (which replaces Downtown Ice) will be open 2-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 26-30 in the Fleming Avenue parking lot.

The event features five inflatable attractions – Snowzilla Ski Slope Slide, Everest Climb & Slide, Polar Golf, Snowman Bouncy and Snowmazing Maze House. The cost is $5 for a five-trip ticket, which may be used for any attraction and by more than one person.

Advance tickets may be purchased through Dec. 23 at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, 10 E. Broad St. Call 931-528-1313 for more information.

In addition to Christmas in the Park activities, Dogwood Park will feature a festive look throughout the holiday season.

For more information, call Cookeville Leisure Services at 931-520-4386 or visit www.cookeville-tn.org/ls.

# # #