BLADENBORO — Rain fell gently and only sporadically. Kids faces lit up with Santa, and the Christmas tree.
On the first Friday night in December, this Bladen County community came together to sing songs of Christian praise, to drink hot chocolate and dabble in baked sweets, and to fellowship with family and friends.
Enjoy a few scenes captured by the Bladen Journal.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Abbey Nance, the 7-year-old daughter of Sheila and Terry Nance in Bladenboro, watches the first moments of the Christmas tree illuminating in Bladenboro on Friday night.
Abbey Nance, the 7-year-old daughter of Sheila and Terry Nance in Bladenboro, watches the first moments of the Christmas tree illuminating in Bladenboro on Friday night.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Riley Dowless, Abbey Nance and Adyson Carroll (from left to right), all 7-year-olds from Bladenboro, watch the Christmas tree lights turned on in Bladenboro on Friday night. Riley is the daughter of Emily and Jeremy Dowless, Abbey is the daughter of Shiela and Terry Nance, and Adyson is the daughter of Alison and Cley Carroll.
Riley Dowless, Abbey Nance and Adyson Carroll (from left to right), all 7-year-olds from Bladenboro, watch the Christmas tree lights turned on in Bladenboro on Friday night. Riley is the daughter of Emily and Jeremy Dowless, Abbey is the daughter of Shiela and Terry Nance, and Adyson is the daughter of Alison and Cley Carroll.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Addison Long was among the entertainers on Friday night at the Christmas tree lighting in Bladenboro.
Addison Long was among the entertainers on Friday night at the Christmas tree lighting in Bladenboro.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Faith Wrenn, the 11-year-old daughter of Arlene and Keith Wrenn, sings with her father at Friday’s Christmas tree lighting in Bladenboro. Keith is the leader of the Galeed Baptist Church Praise Team.
Faith Wrenn, the 11-year-old daughter of Arlene and Keith Wrenn, sings with her father at Friday’s Christmas tree lighting in Bladenboro. Keith is the leader of the Galeed Baptist Church Praise Team.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
The Rev. Samuel VanSlyke, pastor of Bladenboro First Baptist Church, gives the invocation at Friday’s gathering for the lighting of the town Christmas tree.
The Rev. Samuel VanSlyke, pastor of Bladenboro First Baptist Church, gives the invocation at Friday’s gathering for the lighting of the town Christmas tree.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
The farmers market in downtown Bladenboro is aglow for the Christmas season.
The farmers market in downtown Bladenboro is aglow for the Christmas season.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Avery Dowless, the 2-year-old daughter of Emily and Jeremy Dowless, has many choices from Neil Smeigh, the youth pastor at New Light Church in Bladenboro. Avery was with her grandfather, Charles Ray Peterson (rear), at Friday night’s tree lighting in downtown Bladenboro.
Avery Dowless, the 2-year-old daughter of Emily and Jeremy Dowless, has many choices from Neil Smeigh, the youth pastor at New Light Church in Bladenboro. Avery was with her grandfather, Charles Ray Peterson (rear), at Friday night’s tree lighting in downtown Bladenboro.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Kim Willoughby gets a photo of her 17-year-old daughter, Katelyn Willoughby, sitting on Santa’s knee at the Christmas tree lighting in downtown Bladenboro on Friday night.
Kim Willoughby gets a photo of her 17-year-old daughter, Katelyn Willoughby, sitting on Santa’s knee at the Christmas tree lighting in downtown Bladenboro on Friday night.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome Katelyn Willoughby, the daughter of Keith and Kim Willoughby, during Friday night’s Christmas tree lighting activities in downtown Bladenboro.
Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome Katelyn Willoughby, the daughter of Keith and Kim Willoughby, during Friday night’s Christmas tree lighting activities in downtown Bladenboro.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
About 7 p.m. Friday night, the switch was flipped and the Christmas tree at the stop light in downtown Bladenboro was lit.
About 7 p.m. Friday night, the switch was flipped and the Christmas tree at the stop light in downtown Bladenboro was lit.
Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Lawson Walters, 4, anchored ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’ with all of the refrains and his twin 8-year-old sister and brother, Anna Claire and Grayson, sang the verses during Friday’s Christmas tree lighting activities in Bladenboro. The talented musical trio are the children of Stephanie and Craig Walters of Bladenboro.
Lawson Walters, 4, anchored ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’ with all of the refrains and his twin 8-year-old sister and brother, Anna Claire and Grayson, sang the verses during Friday’s Christmas tree lighting activities in Bladenboro. The talented musical trio are the children of Stephanie and Craig Walters of Bladenboro.