Lighting of the Green 2008 features Grant, Fisk Singers, Second Harvest

Janel Shoun | 

Click here to see short video from Lighting of the Green

Click here to see NewsChannel 5 coverage of Lighting of the Green

Thousands of people turned out Tuesday for the fourth annual Lighting of the Green hosted by Amy Grant. The concert was bigger than ever before featuring hundreds of performers from the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Lipscomb choruses to Phil Stacey, formerly of American Idol, and bluegrass singer Trey Hensley.

The weather was cold, but audiences were kept warm with an exciting concert featuring everything from classical violin to bluegrass twang, from moving performances of hymns, to rockin’ versions of Christmas carols. 
The event served as the kick-off for Second Harvest Food Bank’s Feeding Hope Challenge, and thousands of pounds of food donations and cash got the organization off to a great start this December.

New additions to the event this year made for a festive evening, with Mrs. Claus posing for pictures and university students roaming the event in Dickinsian or fairy tale costumes. Nashville Pipe and Drum rounded out the evening playing Christmas tunes below the 35-foot lighted Christmas tree.

In addition, for the first time visitors experienced Branches of Love, a tree decorating contest for student and community groups. After the concert, visitors were able to view 40 themed Christmas trees decorated for needy families. The Beaman Library staff tree, covered with miniature books and snowflakes ornaments made from book pages, won the Branches of Love top prize.

 

 

Lighting of the Green 2008