‘Norris Shines’ plans holiday light display
For the first time, the Norris gazebo will be decorated with more than 10,000 lights during this coming holiday season, according to an announcement by the Norris Woman’s Club.
The gazebo, across the street from Archer’s market in downtown Norris, will also have a lighted Christmas tree in the center, donated by Martha Shear.
Additionally, there will be 12 lighted wreaths hanging in the gazebo’s arches.
“This is the newest project being done by the Norris Shines committee, which consists of Bonnie Peacock, Missy Tortora and Ann Lesar of the Norris Woman’s Club; Brianne Kibler of the Norris Recreation Commission; and Cynthia Edrington from Keep Norris Beautiful, which is a working committee under Keep Anderson County Beautiful,” the release said.
Peacock, who chairs this year’s committee, said the mission is to focus on placing more Christmas lights and decorations in the downtown area.
“We think that the gazebo is a great place to start with our long-term decoration plan,” she said. “We want to make the most-visited area of Norris a major focal point for this year’s Norris Shines celebration.
“The gazebo is situated right in the middle of downtown for everyone to see. We plan to make it a beautiful, spectacular site with thousands of white LED lights,” Peacock said.
The estimated $1,000 cost of the project will be paid for by the Woman’s Club and individual donors, the group said.
Woman’s Club President Missy Tortora said the Norris Shines group already has pledges from two Norris community leaders, and that she feels that the committee will be able to raise the remainder of the money from Norris residents who would like the downtown area to have more Christmas decorations this season.
Labor to install the large number of lights will be provided by Bonnie Peacock, her husband Jim, and Mike Robinson. Bonnie Peacock said that one or two more volunteers would be welcome to help with the massive lighting project.
She said all donations would be appreciated, and should be mailed to: Norris Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 1154, Norris, TN 37828. checks should be made out to the Norris Woman’s Club with “Norris Shines” on the “For” line.
“This special event encourages all Norrisonians to make ‘Norris shine’ again this year, as was done in 2020,” the group said.
“Norrisonians can decorate their homes and yards with lights, wreaths, garlands, and inflatables, and light up the trees for residents and visitors to enjoy a bright, colorful Christmas-light driving tour throughout the city of Norris.”
For more information, visit the Norris Recreation Commission on Facebook or call Bonnie Peacock at 865-388-0788.