Fairmont looks to start new tradition with first ever Christmas tree lighting downtown

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The City of Fairmont is ready to host the first ever Christmas tree lighting at the heart of downtown.

The twenty-foot Christmas tree is being placed at the entrance of the historic downtown shopping district across from the Huntington Bank and will brighten the night sky for the first time at a ceremony on Thursday, December 8. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. and will kickoff the annual Fairmont Hometown Holiday Celebration, including the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

“The Christmas tree that was purchased is beautiful and this is the first event that will kickoff the Fest of the Seven Fishes, so it’ll be part of that going forward,” said Fairmont Mayor Tom Mainella.

The ceremony is hosted by Main Street Fairmont in cooperation with the City of Fairmont and WVU Medicine-Fairmont Medical Center. WVU Medicine-Fairmont Medical Center made the initial purchase of the tree and to celebrate the city’s annual holiday traditions, worked with both the city and the local organization to start a tradition for the residents of Fairmont.

“It was an effort of Main Street Fairmont and the City of Fairmont, with a generous donation from WVU Medicine,” said Mainella on WAJR’s Talk of the Town. “The administration bought a Christmas tree that was placed on the 100 block of Adams Street, in a greenspace the city owns,” he said.

The first ever Fairmont Christmas tree lighting will begin with live music by local high school musical acts along with free refreshments courtesy of local restaurant, The Joe. A young Fairmont resident will also be selected by Main Street Fairmont as the winner of the annual holiday coloring contest, the winner will be the person to light the inaugural Fairmont Christmas tree.

“The East Fairmont Elizabethans will open the program, and they’ll be followed by the East Fairmont Choir,” said Mainella. “Then the results of the coloring contest and that will designate the person who gets to light the Christmas tree for the first time,” he said.

The Fairmont Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be followed by the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Friday that will also host the annual Hometown Christmas Market. Festival Cucina will also take place on Friday and Saturday and will include dishes from seven regional chefs. The three days of holiday celebrations are expected to be a part of a new tradition for Fairmont.

“And this year, there’s going to be food provided for two days, instead of just Friday it will be on Friday and Saturday, it will be great,” Mainella said.