Rain doesn’t stop the holiday spirit as Franklin holds annual Christmas tree lighting

Dec. 4, 2022

By Sarah White – For the Herald

  • Matthew West performs at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • The Freedom Intermediate School choir sings at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. In addition to their own performance, the choir supported Bryant and West with background vocals. Photo/ Sarah White
  • A spectator holds an umbrella over their head during a brief rain shower at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Large crowds visited the event despite the less-than-ideal weather. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Half of a ceremonial electrical plug rests on stage as the Freedom Intermediate School choir sings at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Mayor Moore and event sponsors later used the plugs to signify the lighting of the Christmas tree. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Danny, Lukas and Lindsay Ray (left to right) get their photo with Santa Claus at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. The Ray’s live in Nashville but visited the tree lighting with their friends who are Franklin locals. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Jeff and Jodi Frank, Lori McIlrath and Janet Toms (left to right) sit together as they wait for performances to began at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Jodi Frank brought her family – husband Jeff, sister Lori and mother Janet – specifically to see Matthew West’s performance. Photo/ Sarah White
  • The Freedom Intermediate School choir sings in support of Matthew West’s performance at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Matthew West performs at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. West enthusiastically returned to the stage for this year’s tree lighting in Franklin. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Children watch the performances behind a baracade at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Jordana Bryant performs at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Spectators hold their phone flashlights in the sky for the playing of “Silent Night” at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. West asked the audience to raise their lights and sing along as he performed the Christmas classic. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Mayor Ken Moore, along with representatives from MTE and TVA connect the ceremonial electrical plugs to light the Christmas tree at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Crowds gather around the newly lit Christmas tree in the center of the square at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Rich and Tessa Van Etten (left) pose with Jennifer and Rich Speckman (right) in front of the tree at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Crowds move through main street after the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Photo/ Sarah White
  • Bianca Monika, Sandy Michaels and Laural Sterling pose for a photo at the Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square event on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. The trio respresents two of the three generations of their family present at the event. The local family has been coming to the Franklin tree lighting for as many years as they have lived in Franklin. Photo/ Sarah White

The city of Franklin once again rang in the holiday season with the Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square ceremony on Friday. Despite the chance of rain, thousands of people flooded the streets of downtown Franklin  to see the lighting and participate in the Christmas festivities.

The event was headlined by Matthew West, an American Music Award winner and current ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the year. Jordana Bryant, a 17-year-old country music artist, and the Freedom Intermediate School choir also performed a selection of Christmas songs. The Ray of Light Foundation’s Shine Your Light Singers gave performances on Main Street before and after the lighting.

West expressed excitement and gratitude to join the stage again at this year’s ceremony.

“Franklin, Tennessee, is the place to be, can I get an amen?” he said during the performance.

Occasional rain showers passed through during the ceremony, prompting visitors to pull out umbrellas and raincoats. But ultimately, the rain did not dampen the festivities — everything continued as planned despite the sprinkles.

Representatives from event sponsors, Middle Tennessee Electric and Tennessee Valley Authority, joined Mayor Ken Moore in the countdown to lighting the giant tree. Photos with Santa were also provided by Williamson Medical Center and the Franklin Noon Rotary club offered refreshments.

Families young and old gathered for the event. Sandy Michaels, a longtime Franklin resident, said she has been coming to the Franklin Christmas tree lighting with her family for almost 30 years, “and now three generations are here because the grandkids are here too.”