Nathan Key

What has become a holiday tradition in downtown Lenoir is just around the corner.

Registration for the annual Light Up Lenoir tree decorating event, sponsored by the Lenoir Uptown Business Association, is drawing to its end for those school groups interested in helping spice up the streets of the city for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holiday seasons.

The registration deadline for those groups is Friday, Oct. 23, and decorations for the trees will be put up Friday, Nov. 20 when students get out of school.

"It's really a wonderful event for us in the partnership with LUBA, the public schools and the city," said Kaye Reynolds, Lenoir's Main Street/economic development director. "It's one of those great public/private partnerships that draws us all together. People across the region have recognized what this represents and that kind of partnership we have established."

LUBA has purchased 60 live trees that will be placed along the streets of Lenoir. City staff help get the trees put in place, and the city provides the electricity for the lighting that is hung on the trees. School groups then provide the decorations for the trees and will spend their time after school on Nov. 20 hanging them.

Last year more than 60 groups, from kindergarten students to high schoolers, took part in the event.

"It really is an opportunity for school children of all ages to participate," Reynolds said. "I love seeing the children when they come to decorate the trees. From their reactions, you can see they feel more part of the community because they have helped make it more attractive for the holiday season."

Generally, Light Up Lenoir attempts to encourage students to focus on the heritage of the community as well as protecting the environment when thinking about their decorations.

The trees, once decorated, stay on display in downtown Lenoir through the first week of January when the school groups have to take down the decorations. The trees often are bought and used for various purposes, but unclaimed trees last year were taken to higher elevations in Caldwell County and planted there.

The trees will be provided to the school groups at no charge, having been purchased by Lenoir businesses.

The theme for this year's event is "A Toyland Christmas" with categories of A Toyland Past, A Toyland Present and a Toyland Future. The categories are meant to stimulate a fun and educational experience and leave a lot of room for interpretation. Groups should be as creative as possible to provide unique and thought-provoking decorations.

There will be three $100 cash prizes awarded that night after trees are judged. Other prizes will be given away as well.

"It's a great way for LUBA to help give back to the schools for their participation," Reynolds said.

Santa Claus, cookies, hot chocolate and plenty of fun will be available for the groups as they spend their afternoon and early evening decorating.

For more information or to register, send an e-mail to lightuplenoir@gmail.com. Include the school, teacher, grade and chosen theme.