“Let there be light!” exclaimed Summerville Mayor Berlin Myers to a cheering crowd Monday night as thousands of tiny lights were switched on, illuminating historic Hutchinson Square and all who had gathered there.
The lights in the town’s Christmas tree and those high up in the surrounding stately oaks lit up the crowd below and helped mark the beginning of the holiday season in Summerville.
The revelers, bundled up in hats and gloves to stay warm in the December chill, were treated to Christmas caroling and familiar holiday music by the Summerville High School band and chorus.
The annual event is put on by the Flowertown Garden Club. This year, before the tree lighting, local musicians Irene and Lydia Smith sang a Summerville-inspired song in memory of their grandmother, Annabel Smith, a founding member of the organization who passed away this year.
After the tree lighting, attendees strolled around Hutchinson Square mingling, posing for photos and celebrating the season.
Susan Morris, with Summerville D.R.E.A.M. revealed the town’s Christmas ornament at the event along with the winners of the window-decorating contest. Local businesses were asked to decorate their doorways and the public has been voting on the winner.
First place went to Finishing Touch for their lights and Christmas tree display, second place went to Guerin’s Pharmacy and third place went to High Cotton.