DAPHNE – While the event was scaled back due to COVID-19 precautions, Daphne residents celebrated the holiday season with the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree at City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Just after 6 p.m., the crowd counted down from five as a group of children threw a large switch to light the tree.
Mayor Robin LeJeune thanked the audience for turning out during the pandemic.
“It is a little different tonight, but we’re so excited to at least be here together in celebration of this holiday season,” LeJeune told the crowd. “It’s so great to have everybody come out.”
The mayor said that some features of the event held in the past, such as the distribution of hot dogs, the choir from W.J Carroll Elementary School and train rides for children, were canceled this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. He said after the event that the celebration went well.
“I was happy with the turnout,” he said. “I thought it was good under the circumstances.”
The mayor said city officials had posted notices that participants should wear masks to the tree lighting and practice social distancing and other precautions against the coronavirus. He said most people at the event were wearing masks.
LeJeune said efforts by city employees, the Dogwood Trail maids and volunteers from Daphne High School helped make the tree lighting a success.
One new feature at the 2020 event were additional Christmas decorations on the lawn of City Hall. The decorations were provided by the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, LeJeune said.
“They helped contribute to get these new decorations that we haven’t seen before, our starburst out there, our deer,” LeJeune said. “So, thank you to the DRA for their continued support of the city of Daphne and for all that they do for us.”
COVID-19 precautions led Daphne to cancel its Christmas parade scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 on Main Street.
