Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kingsport board honors volunteers, businesses and staff behind ‘‘Christmas in Kingsport’’
Summary
City leaders recognized dozens of volunteers, donors and staff for their roles in creating holiday displays across downtown Kingsport — thanking Mycroft Signs, Public Works, communications staff and tree donors for decorations that drew strong community engagement.
Kingsport leaders used part of the Dec. 16 meeting to recognize the volunteers, businesses and city staff behind "Christmas in Kingsport," the season-long program of trees, lights and downtown displays that city officials said drew high public engagement.
Organizers and staff described multi-year contributions from a privately donated tree vendor (identified as Brad, described in remarks as "the Christmas tree man"), Mycroft Signs (donated a large illuminated ball and a new downtown sign) and numerous city departments. "You are officially on the Kingsport official nice list," an organizer said while recognizing volunteers and maintenance crews who set up and keep displays lit and repaired.
Why it matters: city officials credited the volunteers and local businesses with turning downtown into an attraction that draws visitors and supports downtown commerce. City staff reported social-media metrics showing several posts related to the season averaging tens of thousands of views and hundreds of reactions, underlining the event’s reach.
Details from remarks and recognition - Mycroft Signs donated major decorative features, including the Centennial Park ball and a new sign on Broad and Center streets; staff singled out Chris and Rebecca Thomas and Tim (a Mycroft team member) for contributions. - Communications staff were singled out for managing webpages, event promotion and social media; staff reported that several holiday posts averaged more than 40,000 views and more than 400 reactions. - Public Works staff were recognized for installing and maintaining decorations downtown, including heavy fixtures and streetlight displays; the Public Works tree won "best tree overall" in a related contest.
The board and staff repeatedly thanked volunteers and municipal crews for their work; remarks closed the recognitions section and the meeting continued with other business.
