No "Oooo's" and "Ahhh's"!

I took my 6-year-old granddaughter, Abbey Grace, to Covington's historic square last night to watch the "Lighting of the Courthouse."  This Covington tradition signals the start of the Christmas season.

Santa arrives in town in a horse-drawn carriage (well, we are in the South here!), there's free hot chocolate and cider on the sqaure, and merchants decorate their shops and extend their hours for early shoppers.

Then, as darkness sets, there's a little ceremony on the steps of the historic courthouse, people crowd into the street to watch, and a local "celebrity" throws the switch to turn on the courthouse's Christmas lights.

All that happened last night, but there were no "Oooo's" and "Ahhh's!"

I knew it might be a long evening when Mr. and Mrs. Claus came by in the carriage.  Abbey Grace jumped up and down and waved, then suddendly turned to me and said, "Hey...I know that lady!  She works in the office at my school!"  At least, she gave the elderly gentleman standing next to us a good laugh!

By the time I explained how the "real" Mrs. Claus was probably pretty busy supervising all the elves, so had to send a "helper," it was time for the festivities on the courthouse steps to begin.

Our community orchestra played a couple of carols... much too slowly.  The fantastic Oxford Singing Children performed... but the sound system was lousy and you had to strain to hear them.  The welcoming speechs and introduction of the "celebrity" lighter were long enough to loose the crowd's attention.  And though I think I have a pretty good basis in the community, I still don't know who the "celebrity" was.

Worst of all, when the switch was thrown to light the courthouse, there were no "Oooo's" and "Ahhh's."  The only lights there were, were on a wreath around the clock on the tower, and around arches atop the courthouse steps.  I've seen more lights than that on a double-wide!

Come on Covington! 

I know it will cost a little money,  but at this time of year, let's tastefully string lights to highlight the architecture of our beautiful, historic courthouse! 

Let's get a sound system that can be heard all over square! 

Let's hear some rousing carols to put people in the spirit of the season!

Next year, when we throw that switch, we need some "Oooo's" and "Ahhh's!"