đ Light Up Pikeville
A Celebration of Lights, Community, and Christmas Cheer
Light Up Pikeville is an annual holiday event that brings the community together to kick off the Christmas season starting November 1st. Each year, Pikeville transforms into a magical winter wonderland, with thousands of twinkling lights adorning Main Street and festive decorations filling every corner.
As families stroll through the illuminated downtown, the scent of hot cocoa, apple cider, and toasted chestnuts fills the air. Itâs a scene that feels straight out of a holiday movieâwhere even the biggest Scrooge canât help but be swept up in the joy and wonder of the season.
đŻď¸ How It All Began
The vision for Light Up Pikeville began with Lola Sells, beloved local shop owner and former proprietor of the Vaughn House Tea Room. In the spring of 2021, Lola was watching a Hallmark Christmas movie when inspiration struck. âThey had all the trees and buildings lit up in that little town,â she recalled. âI walked out on my steps, looked at our little town, and thought, âWe could be a Hallmark town!ââ
She shared her idea on Facebook and was met with overwhelming supportâmore than 200 comments in agreement. Lola began rallying the community, collecting names, spreading the word, and asking for donations of lights, wreaths, and bows. âPeople started bringing in decorations, and I started buying bags and totes of lights at yard sales,â she said. It quickly became clear that others shared her dream of a picture-perfect Christmas.
đ¤ A Community Effort
As the project gained momentum, Lola found a helping hand in Jeff Henry, a retiree from Knoxville and owner of Red Bird Manor. âHe was a lifesaver,â Lola said. Together, they reached out to Bledsoe Telephone Co-op, SVEC, the Chamber of Commerce, and city and county officialsâall of whom gave their full support.
With a $10,000 grant awarded to the town, the vision for Light Up Pikeville began to take shape. That funding helped cover the cost of professional-grade lighting and installation equipment, allowing volunteers and city crews to safely decorate buildings, trees, and landmarks throughout downtown.
Donations from local businesses and individuals poured in. A nearby nursery donated a massive tree for the courthouse lawn, and SVEC crews used bucket trucks to hang wreaths on the historic Ross House. Storefronts along Main Street lit up with festive displays, and the entire community embraced the project with open arms.
When the water tank was illuminated with lights, the dream truly became a reality.
đ The First Light Up Pikeville
The inaugural Light Up Pikeville kickoff was held on November 26, 2021, alongside the 25th Annual Christmas Parade. An estimated 3,500 people lined the streets to celebrate. Events on the Main Street Stage and throughout downtown continued through December, boosting local businesses and spreading holiday cheer.
âThis wouldnât have been possible without the cooperation of everybody working together to make this dream come true,â Lola said.
đA Community Tradition That Keeps Growing
Each year, we strive to make Light Up Pikeville even more magicalâadding new decorations, expanding activities, and finding fresh ways to celebrate the season. Our goal is to build on the joy and unity this event brings, creating unforgettable experiences for everyone who visits.
Weâre always looking for volunteers to help with setup, decorating, and fundraising efforts. If youâd like to be part of this growing tradition, email LightUpPikeville@gmail.com or PaPendergrass@gmail.com.
Together, we can make each year brighter than the lastâand keep the spirit of Light Up Pikeville shining for generations to come.
