PICKENS — Each year, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative welcomes the holiday season with a tree-lighting celebration at its Pickens office on West Main Street.
The annual tradition of lighting the huge evergreen dates back to the early 1980s and represents the official beginning of the Christmas season for many area residents.

This year’s tree lighting will be held beginning at 5:15 p.m. nextTuesday, Nov. 27. The program will open with seasonal music provided by the A.R. Lewis Elementary School student chorus. A short meditation will follow, presented by Rev. James McCoy Bruce, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church. Then, Dr. Kelly Pew, superintendent of the School District of Pickens County, will do the honors of lighting the tree. The outdoor event will conclude with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.