Vienna holds annual tree-lighting ceremony
Attendees celebrate as Vienna’s Christmas tree lit up at the annual tree-lighting ceremony at Spencer’s Landing Tuesday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Jen Allman, right, serves free hot chocolate at Vienna’s tree-lighting ceremony at Spencer’s Landing on Tuesday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Kolson and Kennedy Berdine pose with a reindeer at Vienna’s tree-lighting ceremony held at Spencer’s Landing on Tuesday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Amelia Blair, Julia Blair and Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick lead attendees to Vienna’s annual tree-lighting ceremony in carols on Tuesday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Attendees celebrate as Vienna’s Christmas tree lit up at the annual tree-lighting ceremony at Spencer’s Landing Tuesday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Jen Allman, right, serves free hot chocolate at Vienna’s tree-lighting ceremony at Spencer’s Landing on Tuesday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Kolson and Kennedy Berdine pose with a reindeer at Vienna’s tree-lighting ceremony held at Spencer’s Landing on Tuesday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Amelia Blair, Julia Blair and Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick lead attendees to Vienna’s annual tree-lighting ceremony in carols on Tuesday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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VIENNA -- Vienna welcomed the holiday season Tuesday evening with its annual tree-lighting ceremony at Spencer's Landing, drawing families to the riverfront park for a night of carols, hot chocolate, children's activities and -- for the first time -- live reindeer.
Mayor Chad Emrick opened the event by directing visitors toward free tickets for children's train rides and complimentary cocoa.
"We're here for the annual Christmas tree lighting that Vienna hosts," Emrick said. "This year, we're doing things much differently. We've changed our location, the venue, we've added a lot of other activities, and it's just going to be a wonderful night."
Families gathered near the tree for the countdown, while SIPS Coffee Truck served cocoa and specialty drinks. Owner Jen Allman said being invited to community holiday events holds special meaning for her small business.
"It just seems really magical," Allman said. "It's very nice that Vienna invites small businesses. They reached out to me, and they purchased all the hot chocolate from us. That was wonderful."
A major draw of the evening came from Old School Christmas Farm of Red House, W.Va., which brought reindeer to Spencer's Landing for families to meet. Maggie Blankenship, who helps operate what she said is the first reindeer farm in West Virginia, said this is their first holiday season traveling to events.
"We're just super excited to spread our message about being slow at Christmas," Blankenship said. "We hope to create a place where people can escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays and remember what it's really about -- spending time with your loved ones and making memories."
Blankenship said bringing the reindeer to Vienna also offered an opportunity to educate children about the animals.
While previously held at Jackson Memorial Park, this year's new location appealed to families.
"I really like having the tree lighting at Spencer's Landing," said Vienna resident Taylor Cline. "There's more room for families to spread out, and the riverfront makes it feel a lot more festive. It just feels like the kind of place a community Christmas celebration should be."