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 To protect the community from possible exposure to
the coronavirus, this year was done a little differently. Williams
had sought and received permission from the city of Lincoln to close
Kickapoo Street on the west side of the Logan County Courthouse for
the period of time that it would take to hold the ceremony.
Visitors to the ceremony were asked to social distance from others,
and encouraged to remain in their household groups and wear face
masks. While not all wore the face masks, everyone did adhere to
social distancing during the ceremony.
Also different this year was the number of trees included in the
Winter Wonderland and their placement on the Logan County Courthouse
lawn. This year, there were more than 60 trees, up by about 20
compared to 2019. Instead of having the trees lining all the
sidewalks on the west lawn, they were set up only to line the
outside borders of the lawn on all four sides.
Guests were encouraged to view the trees from the main exterior
sidewalk around the courthouse, and of course observe social
distancing as they make the trek around the square.
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The ceremony began with Williams, Lincoln Acting
Mayor Tracy Welch and wife Annette, and Morgan Gleason of the Logan
County Tourism Bureau offering some comments while standing at the
base of the courthouse steps on the west lawn.
Williams began by asking those in attendance to observe a moment of
silence for our loved ones who are not with us this year.
She then went on to address the group, thanking all who had come out
and encouraging everyone to enjoy the trees after the lighting.
She expressed appreciation to the Logan County Board for permitting
the placement of the trees, to Lincoln’s Up in Smoke organization
for use of their electric terminals, to the city of Lincoln for
permitting the street closure, and on through to those who had
helped install the trees, the family members who had stepped up and
helped with her shop while she helped with the installation, and to
Gleason who had worked with her to organize the event and generally
help out whenever called upon. She sent out a special thank you to
her husband Jim who had helped her in so many ways throughout the
process, including spearheading the installation of the trees and
stringing of electric cords and much more.
Welch also spoke, thanking Williams for all the work
put into the Winter Wonderland event and wishing all a happy holiday
season.
Thanks were also expressed to all who had purchased and decorated a
tree.
Then Williams led the countdown to the lighting. When the trees were
lit, the entire courthouse lawn glowed with the colors of Christmas
and there were many happy faces as guests toured the square checking
out all the trees.
After the lighting, Williams took a stroll around the
square to check out all the trees in their lighted state.
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She commented that this year the actual ceremony had
felt a little odd. She said that looking out on the people gathered
on Kickapoo Street, she was concerned about there being a lack of
interest this year. She had made that comment to someone who
promptly told her that this was a much larger crowd than last year,
but the difference was that everyone was spread out. Indeed, instead
of gathering on Kickapoo Street, many of the guests had gone to
stand in front of the tree they had purchased, anxious to see how
good it looked when the lights came on.
The trees this year featured so much beauty, talent, and
imagination. Lighted, the glow cast light and shadow around the
square, and cast beautiful light on the many ornaments and
decorations on the individual trees.
At 6 p.m. Red Gate Farms arrived with their horses
and carriage for an evening of giving free rides around the square.
The line for the carriage ride grew quickly as many visitors to the
lighting ceremony recognized that a free ride around the square
would be the perfect way to view all the trees in a short amount of
time.
Red Gate offered a lovely white covered carriage drawn by two black
horses.
The rides this year are also being conducted a bit differently from
past years. The horses are stopped on Pulaski Street across from the
Arcade building. New passengers board the carriage from the arcade
side. When exiting, passengers depart on the courthouse side. Upon
exiting they were provided with a hand sanitizing station and
encouraged to use it before moving away from the ride.
While waiting for their turn in the wagon, passengers
also had the opportunity to purchase sweet treats and hot beverages
from Top Hat Creamery. The Traveling Top Hat owner Lisa Mestinsek
was selling a variety of items throughout the evening.
The night proved to be a very nice and fun way to kick off Christmas
in Lincoln.
Be sure to view the two slideshows from the lighting ceremony
featured in today’s edition of Lincoln Daily News.
Throughout the rest of this week, LDN will feature daytime pictures
of the trees as well because they are just as gorgeous and fun in
the daylight as they are in the dark.
The trees will remain lit until the first of the year. Carriage
rides will be provided free on Friday, December 4th, 11th, and 18th
from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night.
[Nila Smith] |
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