Iva Turns Out Big for Holiday Tree-Lighting Events

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Families packed downtown Iva Thursday night as the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting turned the town square on Main Street into a small-town holiday gathering place, complete with student music, children’s choirs and a visit from Santa.  The event, part of a growing slate of seasonal programs in Iva, drew residents of all ages who came not just to see the lights switched on, but to be together.

The Crescent High School Band set the tone early, leading off the evening with a program of holiday favorites that echoed off storefronts and drew people closer to the stage area.  Their performance, along with numbers from the high school choral program, showcased local student talent and underscored how deeply the schools are woven into the town’s civic life.

Elementary school choruses from Anderson School District 3 followed with their own sets, giving younger students a turn in the spotlight and prompting parents and grandparents to crowd sidewalks with cellphones raised.  Applause rolled up and down the street after each song, as neighbors greeted one another between performances and kids darted in and out of clusters of friends.

Excitement spiked when Santa arrived, making his way through the crowd for photos, handshakes and quick wish-list conversations with children bundled in coats and Christmas sweaters.  The informal visits, set against the backdrop of the band and choruses, added to the sense that the night belonged as much to local families as to any formal program.

As dusk settled fully over downtown, town officials led a brief countdown before the switch was thrown and the community Christmas tree burst into light downtown.  For many in attendance, the moment served as the unofficial start of the holiday season in Iva, a shared tradition that continues to knit the small town together year after year.