Laurel ready to glow for Night of Lights

LAUREL — Night Of Lights is almost here.

The Laurel Chamber Community Club has been as busy as Santa’s elves pulling together all the wonderful events for the Dec. 5 community celebration.

The 11th annual event will begin with open houses around town. It will also include the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree by Santa at 5:30 p.m. A soup supper at the city auditorium with local vendors, and pictures with Santa will also take place during the night.

Other activities for the night are a photo booth, take-home craft kits at the city office, pictures with Santa at Main Street Apothecary, Holiday treats and music at the Senior Center, and a sign up for kids to get in the 1,000 books before kindergarten program.

The 1,000 books before kindergarten is sponsored by the Laurel Library Board.  The program is to promote reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers and encourage parent and child bonding through reading. This encourages children to have 1,000 books read to them before they enter kindergarten.  

The LCC Bear Squad will perform in front of the City Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

The evening will end with everyone packing the auditorium for the holiday punch card raffle drawing.  Many door prizes donated by local businesses will be given away along with chamber bucks and the grand prize $200 Chamber bucks.

The first Night of Lights was held Dec. 2, 2008.  That first night of lights event was a success with 23 businesses participating with specials sales, drawings and refreshments.  Santa rode into town on a fire truck to light the Christmas tree donated by Todd Arens.