KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The holidays are around two months away, but crews in Knoxville are getting ready for the festivities. On Tuesday, they were wrapping lights around trees in Krutch Park as part of the city's annual lineup of events.
Kyndra Brewer, the director of special events for the city, said crews usually start putting up the lights in early October. By the time they're done, they will have put up 200,000 lights to give the city a glow throughout the holiday season and to set the stage for Christmas in the City festivities.
"I know people are kinda like, 'Wait a minute, why are you decorating for Christmas now? We haven't even hit Halloween yet.' But with over 200,000 lights to decorate this whole entire park, Summitt Hill and downtown — it takes a while," she said.
The holiday events start with a Christmas at Chilhowee event on Nov. 22. There, the city will light a tree in the bandstand of the park with activities, photos with Santa and a "Touch-A-Truck" event giving children the chance to see construction vehicles, firetrucks and police cruisers up close.
The Regal Celebration of Lights will start on Nov. 29, when the city will light its 42-foot-tall Christmas Tree on Gay Street. There will also be live music and free activities, such as a "Little Elves Workshop" and crafts for children.
Nov. 29 will also mark the start of the city's annual Holidays on Ice celebration. Through Jan. 5, the city will have an ice skating rink in Market Square, giving people a chance to skate to a variety of different songs with families and friends. Tickets will cost $12 for adults and $9 for children.
The WIVK Christmas Parade will kick off the evening of Dec. 6, followed by the annual Tour de Lights on Dec. 14. The holiday fun will wrap up on Dec. 31 with New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere.
But before all the holiday fun can begin, Knoxville crews will work through October to decorate the city.