Shelby County is helping kick off the holiday season with the sixth annual Soulsville USA Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday.
“It’s wonderful to see how the Soulsville USA Holiday Tree Lighting has grown and become part of families’ holiday traditions,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said in a news release. “This event is about coming together as a community and celebrating the joy of the holiday season. It would not be possible without the partnerships in South Memphis. I hope to see you out to enjoy the festive fun.”
The event, which is presented by Soulsville USA Neighborhoods Development District, South Memphis Alliance, Memphis Black Arts Alliance, LeMoyne-Owen College, LeMoyne-Owen College CDC, Knowledge Quest, Soulsville Foundation, SCORE CDC, Memphis Music Magnet, and Shelby County Government, has happened every year since 2017.
“It is a joy to see the Soulsville USA Holiday Tree Lighting grow into a fixture of the South Memphis holiday season. The Soulsville USA Neighborhoods Development District continues to be an outstanding partner and I’d like to give a big thank you to Trustmark for its investment in the event this year,” Reginald Milton, the founder of South Memphis Alliance, Inc., said in a news release. “Young people and families are proud to call Soulsville USA home and I’m glad to help bring this annual program to our neighborhood.”
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The tree lighting was held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before returning to in-person in 2021. This year’s event will also feature several musical guests, including former American Idol contestant Lil Rounds and singer and “Queen of Memphis Soul” Carla Thomas,. along with free hot chocolate, a visit from Santa Claus, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas.
The nearly 30-foot Christmas tree is at the corner of Bellevue Boulevard and Beechwood Avenue. The event is at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Gina Butkovich covers South Memphis, DeSoto County, storytelling and general news. She can be reached at gina.butkovich@commercialappeal.com
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