Kewanna to host 'first ever' Christmas tree lighting event Sunday

The Kewanna Arts Alliance is bringing a new tradition to the "Little Town with a Big HeART" this Sunday, Dec. 14, for the Once Upon a December event, which includes a first ever tree lighting ceremony in Kewanna. 

Kewanna Arts Alliance president Lori Roberts said she hopes to make a tree lighting ceremony an annual thing in Kewanna for years to come. 'Once Upon a December' will kickoff at 4 p.m. inside of the HeARTery, 414 E. Main St, with a poetry reading, ballet performance, sing-along caroling and a reading of The Night Before Christmas. 

At 5 p.m., JL Teams will join the event by bringing in Santa for the tree lighting across the street from the HeARTery at KennLydi Park. Following the Christmas tree lighting, rides by JL Teams horse drawn wagons will be provided to attendees until 7 p.m. During the time photos with Santa and crafts will also be provided inside of the HeARTery. 

Roberts said she hopes the event inspires the locals in the small town to come together. Roberts helped start the Kewanna Arts Alliance earlier this year as a way to bring the Kewanna community together to revive and nurture the artistic spirit the small town has been known for. 

This year's Christmas event was made possible thanks to volunteers in the community like Kewanna Arts Alliance board member David Jackson, owner of KennLydi Park and Jackson Demolition, who volunteers his property to be the location of the tree lighting. Jackson said the Once Upon a December event helps bring together the vision he had when first starting the park. Investing in several retired trains, Jackson said he eventually he wants to add art and a stage to the park in the future and make it a public event area. 

The 20 ft Christmas tree was donated by the Lopez family for the event. Transportation of the tree was also provided for free thanks to Juan and Nancy Suarez from Juan Hook Towing & Recovery. Jackson provided the heavy equipment and manpower by digging a 4ft hole near one of his trains last Saturday and having the tree set up. Kewanna Arts Alliance board members Gail Karas, Jennifer Weinert and Lori Roberts also donated time and money to help bring more Christmas magic to the event. 

Jackson said he joined the Kewanna Arts Alliance group when it first started earlier this year for events like this, that he says help bring the community together to make it a better place.