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Holiday
Cities seek to brighten holiday spirits
By DEBORAH C. GERBERS | The Municipal
Nearly two years ago, the COVID-19 global pandemic brought the world to a screeching halt. Every aspect of life was altered in some way, including the ways the holidays were celebrated. Festivals were canceled, public gatherings were outlawed and the normally cheerful holiday spirit was diminished, with moods being dampened by the fear of this invisible viral threat. Communities rallied, and people stuck together in an incredible show of strength and courage — and although tentative about the future and keeping vigilant about public health and safety, city residents appear to have regained their group morale. In late 2020, both Beckley, W. Va., and Cedar City, Utah, sought to brighten residents’ spirits in the midst of COVID-19. During the holiday season, they brought in new lights and displays. City leaders’ efforts brightened their communities and introduced a “new normal” way of celebrating the holidays. Both Beckley and Cedar City look forward to the
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2021 holiday season and holding as many festive events as possible. Both uptown and downtown Beckley have seen holiday light displays, wreaths decorating the area, an enlarged skating rink and the lights at the Exhibition Coal Mine, all of which offer a unique, outdoor wintertime experience. Another effort made in 2020 to brighten the holidays in Beckley was bringing in new festive lights, including popular Edison bulbs, to decorate the downtown area. Beckley’s Mayor Rob Rappold decided to have the warmly glowing Edison bulbs installed at the gazebo at Jim Word Memorial Park and the pergola at Shoemaker Square,
ABOVE: Cedar City wows downtown visitors with its light display on Main Street. (Photo provided by Visit Cedar City)
according to a local news source, the Beckley Register-Herald. “We want to probably grow the theme of the white Edison lights, not only at holiday season but, at some point, throughout the year, to brighten the city and make it warmer and more appealing,” Rappold was quoted as saying. “It’s a good way to give people a good, warm feeling and, at the same time, provide a little extra light where there may not be that much, otherwise.” Beckley Director of Events Jill Moorefield said the city continues to recover from the impact of COVID-19. “Beckley did not have a traditional Christmas parade in 2020; instead, we had a ‘Reverse Parade,’ where entries stayed in place around the convention center and spectators drove thru the parade line-up,” said Moorefield. “It caused quite a traffic jam in the parking lots and nearby roads, so we hope that we do not need to do a reverse
